Matthias Church, Budapest (must see)
Officially named the Church of Our Lady, this revered landmark in Budapest鈥檚 Castle District is more commonly known as Matthias Church鈥攏amed in honor of King Matthias, the monarch who significantly enhanced its beauty. A champion of the arts and a key figure in restoring the Hungarian state after years of instability, King Matthias left an indelible mark on both the church and the country鈥檚 cultural heritage.
Built originally in the 11th century in Romanesque style, the structure underwent a major transformation in the 14th century, adopting the elegant Gothic design we see today. Its colorful, patterned tile roof is a distinctive feature鈥攅asily spotted while wandering through the Castle and near Fisherman鈥檚 Bastion.
This sacred space, ranked as the second largest church in Buda, has witnessed centuries of royal ceremonies, state funerals, and religious celebrations. During the Ottoman occupation, it was converted to a mosque, and many ornate frescoes were lost beneath layers of whitewash. When Christian worship resumed in the 17th century, a touch of Baroque was added, restoring grandeur after the siege that drove out the Turks left it damaged.
Now home to the Ecclesiastical Art Museum, the church offers a journey through history, including religious artifacts, ancient stone carvings, and a replica of the Hungarian Royal Crown. Fans of stained glass and sacred art will also find plenty to admire.
Thanks to its exceptional acoustics, Matthias Church doubles as a venue for classical music performances throughout the year.
Tip: If you're up for a challenge and don鈥檛 mind tight spaces, climb to the top of the tower for a bird鈥檚-eye view view of Budapest. The staircase is steep and narrow, so you must pace yourself鈥攂ut the panoramic reward is well worth the effort.
Built originally in the 11th century in Romanesque style, the structure underwent a major transformation in the 14th century, adopting the elegant Gothic design we see today. Its colorful, patterned tile roof is a distinctive feature鈥攅asily spotted while wandering through the Castle and near Fisherman鈥檚 Bastion.
This sacred space, ranked as the second largest church in Buda, has witnessed centuries of royal ceremonies, state funerals, and religious celebrations. During the Ottoman occupation, it was converted to a mosque, and many ornate frescoes were lost beneath layers of whitewash. When Christian worship resumed in the 17th century, a touch of Baroque was added, restoring grandeur after the siege that drove out the Turks left it damaged.
Now home to the Ecclesiastical Art Museum, the church offers a journey through history, including religious artifacts, ancient stone carvings, and a replica of the Hungarian Royal Crown. Fans of stained glass and sacred art will also find plenty to admire.
Thanks to its exceptional acoustics, Matthias Church doubles as a venue for classical music performances throughout the year.
Tip: If you're up for a challenge and don鈥檛 mind tight spaces, climb to the top of the tower for a bird鈥檚-eye view view of Budapest. The staircase is steep and narrow, so you must pace yourself鈥攂ut the panoramic reward is well worth the effort.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Budapest. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "911爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Matthias Church on Map
Sight Name: Matthias Church
Sight Location: Budapest, Hungary (See walking tours in Budapest)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Budapest, Hungary (See walking tours in Budapest)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Budapest, Hungary
Create Your Own Walk in Budapest
Creating your own self-guided walk in Budapest is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Pest Introduction Walking Tour
Separated from its western neighbor Buda by the wide sweep of the Danube, the eastern side of Budapest takes up almost two-thirds of the city. While Buda rises in hills and castle-topped cliffs, Pest spreads out across a flat plain, buzzing with energy and a rather bourgeois spirit. Some of Hungary鈥檚 most iconic landmarks call this side home, including the grand Parliament building itself. No... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.3 Km or 2.7 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.3 Km or 2.7 Miles
Andrassy Avenue Walking Tour
Dating back to 1870 and recognized as a World Heritage site, Andr谩ssy Avenue is a long, wide boulevard named after Prime Minister Gyula Andr谩ssy (served 1867鈥�71) that connects Budapest's downtown with the City Park. The entire stretch is lined with caf茅s, restaurants, luxury shops, as well as cultural institutions, elegant neo-Renaissance apartment blocks, mansions, and embassies with... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Buda Introduction Walking Tour
Hungary鈥檚 capital is relatively young, having emerged in the late 19th century after the merger of two neighboring towns鈥擝uda on the western bank of the Danube and Pest on the eastern side. Buda, with its hills and historic character, is home to the grand Hapsburg palace, still exuding the imperial charm of a time when wealth and power reigned.
From the heights of Castle Hill or Gell茅rt... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.8 Km or 2.4 Miles
From the heights of Castle Hill or Gell茅rt... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.8 Km or 2.4 Miles
Jewish Quarter Walking Tour
Jews were officially allowed to settle in Pest in the early 18th century. By the late 1700s, a small but growing community had taken root, and the 19th century brought rapid urbanization and expansion. The Jewish population soared, with many Jews becoming integral to Budapest鈥檚 economic and cultural life.
Following the Nazi occupation in March 1944, they were forced into a ghetto centered in... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles
Following the Nazi occupation in March 1944, they were forced into a ghetto centered in... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles
Margaret Island Walking Tour
Stretching for around 2.5 km, Margaret Island (鈥淢argit-sziget鈥�) on the river Danube is a popular green oasis / recreational area that serves as Budapest's playground since the 1870s. Flush with beautiful landscaped parks, ancient ruins and various sports facilities, the island can be accessed either by the historical Margaret Bridge on the south or the Arpad Bridge in the north, from... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
Souvenir Shopping
It will definitely be a pity to leave Budapest without exploring local specialty shops and bringing home something authentically Hungarian. A large number of the city鈥檚 specialty shops are found on V谩ci Street, a pedestrian thoroughfare that parallels the Danube, extending for more than 15 blocks, with something for every taste and wallet. At its most southerly end, you will find Central Market... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
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