St. Matthias Church, or simply the Matthias Church, is one of the most historic churches in Budapest. You will clearly spot it during a sightseeing tour of the Hungarian capital since its slender figure stands out against the striking silhouette of this beautiful city. It is a Catholic church that has experienced different stages and vicissitudes since, for example, for more than a century and a half, coinciding with the occupation of Budapest by the Ottoman Turks, it was a mosque. Nevertheless, this majestic temple, which was built in the 12th century during the reign of King Béla IV in honour of the Virgin Mary, has witnessed many more historical episodes. It is believed that, on the site of this church, the first Hungarian king St. Stephen I ordered to build a religious building around 1015.
- History and origin of the Matthias Church
- The interior of the Matthias Church in Budapest
- Classical music concerts
- Where to eat near the Matthias Church
- Where to stay near the Matthias Church
History and origin of the Matthias Church
As stated earlier, the Matthias Church was begun in the early Gothic style in the 12th century to sanctify the Virgin Mary, patron saint of Hungary, during the reign of Béla IV. However, all the monarchs who followed him also wanted to leave their artistic or architectural mark on the temple. Some added doors to the church, others enlarged the surface area of the building, others erected a tower, etc. For example, Louis I of Hungary and Sigismund of Hungary made major alterations in the Gothic style, while Matthias I of Hungary transformed the church in the Renaissance style. As an anecdote, the nickname ‘Matthias Church’ comes from the Hungarian king Matthias Corvinus, who restored and renovated the church around 1470.
Nevertheless, in 1541 the temple ceased to be Catholic and was transformed into a mosque when the city of Buda was invaded by the armies of the Ottoman Turks; a century and a half later it was recaptured by the Germanic armies, who expelled the Turks.
The interior of the Matthias Church in Budapest
To vouch for its beauty, the Matthias Church in Budapest is always at the top of the list when the city is referred to as the ‘Pearl of the Danube’ or ‘Little Paris’. It is clearly one of the most beautiful temples in the country, and nearby is the statue of the Holy Trinity, erected to commemorate the 1709 epidemic. The shape that the church retains today is the result of its last major restoration, at the end of the 19th century. Inside the Matthias Church in Budapest there are excellent fresco paintings and stained-glass windows by the greatest artists of the time such as Bertalan Székely and Károly Lotz. You can also see the coat of arms of King Matthias, religious relics and exact copies of the Crown Jewels. And if you dare, you can climb the Matthias Bell Tower and visit its five floors in Baroque style.
Classical music concerts
Organ and classical music concerts are regularly held due to the excellent acoustics inside the Matthias Church. They take place on the same stage where for centuries the Hungarian monarchs were crowned and royal weddings were held. That is why the Matthias Church is one of the most famous and most visited churches in Budapest. If you want to attend one of the concerts in the church, you should inform yourself in advance because there is usually a high demand for tickets. The church is open to the public from Monday to Friday from 9 a.m to 5 p.m., Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Where to eat near the Matthias Church
Like all European cities, Budapest has a number of well-defined leisure areas, and the area around the Matthias Church is one of them. If you want to enjoy Budapest’s cuisine, we recommend Budapest’s Central Market, where you will find everything: sausages, typical food, pasta, pizza, burgers, vegan food, desserts, drinks… and a great atmosphere. We also recommend Costes, a modern haute cuisine restaurant located on the picturesque Raday Street; Szent Jupat, a restaurant with creative touches in Tyrolean style; Riso Restaurant, a slightly hidden Italian restaurant with a beautiful garden; and Masterek Konyhája, a typical Hungarian tavern where we recommend the famous goulash and other rural Hungarian dishes.
Where to stay near the Matthias Church
The best place to stay if you want to visit Budapest and feel at home is the Barceló Budapest. The high-performance hotel has an avant-garde design and is located in the VI district, Terézváros, in the historical centre of the city, surrounded by museums, cafés and restaurants and close to Kazinczy Street and the Matthias Church. It has 179 modern rooms, some of which are located on the rooftop of the building, with large terraces and fabulous views of the city. It features a lobby bar and an à la carte restaurant that enables guests to enjoy a variety of culinary offerings and a taste of traditional Hungarian dishes. It also has a 24-hour gym and the skybar opens between May and October.
