Matthias Church, also known as the Church of Our Lady or the Coronation Church of Buda, is a Roman Catholic church located in the Holy Trinity Square, Budapest, Hungary. It is one of the most beautiful and historic churches in Europe, with a rich history and a stunning interior.
The church was founded by Saint Stephen, the first king of Hungary, in 1015, but the current building dates back to the 14th century, when it was rebuilt in a Gothic style. The church was named after King Matthias Corvinus, who renovated and enlarged it in the 15th century, and who married two of his wives here. The church was also the site of several coronations of Hungarian kings and queens, as well as a miraculous event in 1686, when a hidden statue of the Virgin Mary appeared during the siege of Buda by the Christian forces and helped them defeat the Ottoman Turks.
The church has a colorful and ornate interior, with frescoes, stained glass windows, sculptures, and a magnificent organ. The church also houses a museum that displays religious relics, liturgical objects, and historical documents. The church’s main attraction is the Matthias Bell Tower, which stands 80 meters high and has three bells. The tower offers a panoramic view of the city and the Danube river.
The church is open to visitors every day, except during religious services and events. The opening hours are:
- Monday to Friday: 9 am to 5 pm
- Saturday: 9 am to 12 pm
- Sunday: 1 pm to 5 pm
The ticket prices are:
- Adults: 1800 HUF
- Students and seniors: 1200 HUF
- Children under 6: free
The church also offers guided tours and audio guides for an extra fee. You can book your tickets online or buy them at the entrance.
To get to Matthias Church, you can take public transportation or walk from the city center. The nearest bus stop is Szentháromság tér (bus number 16 or 16A), and the nearest metro station is Batthyány tér (line M2). You can also take the funicular from Clark Ádám tér or walk up the stairs from Dísz tér.
Some tips for visiting Matthias Church are:
- Dress modestly and respectfully, as it is a place of worship.
- Do not take photos or videos inside the church without permission.
- Do not touch or damage any of the artworks or objects.
- Be quiet and courteous to other visitors and staff.
- Enjoy the beauty and history of this amazing church.
One of the things you can see at Matthias Church is a list of statues of Hungarian kings and national leaders that are displayed on the exterior walls of the church. Some of them are:
- Saint Stephen: the first king of Hungary and the founder of the church
- Saint Ladislaus: a king and a saint who defended Hungary from invaders
- King Matthias Corvinus: a renaissance king who patronized arts and sciences
- King Louis I: a king who expanded Hungary’s territory and influence
- King Sigismund: a king who was also the Holy Roman Emperor and founded the Order of the Dragon
- King Charles I: a king who restored Hungary’s independence after the Mongol invasion
- King Charles IV: the last king of Hungary who was crowned at Matthias Church
- Governor John Hunyadi: a military leader who fought against the Ottoman Empire
- Prince Francis II Rákóczi: a leader of an uprising against Habsburg rule
- Lajos Kossuth: a leader of the Hungarian Revolution of 1848
