Historical Church Buildings in Budapest, Hungary

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CALVINIST CHURCH (Református templom)
IX., Kálvin tér 7.

A symbol of the Hungarian Reformed Church. Built in Classicist
style in 1816-1830. The Calvin Room in the west wing features
stained glass windows by Miksa Róth, depicting the key
personalities of the church. 17-19th c. silver and goldsmith
pieces in the Treasury. Only group visits are arranged upon prior
appointment.

MAP
Services: Thu 1800, Sun 1000, 1130, 1800.
M3 Tram 47, 49

HUNGARIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH (Magyar ortodox templom)
V., Petőfi tér 2/B.

Built upon the commission of Greek and Macedonian merchant
families that settled down in Pest in 1791-1801, facade rebuilt in
the 19th c. A large hall church with a fabulous iconostas opens
up from the parvis. 18th and 19th c. tomb-stones in the garden, a
former cemetery. Services are still held in the Orthodox fashion,
but in Hungarian language.
Open: Wed, Fri, Sat 1700-1900, Sun 0900-1230.

MAP
Bus 112 Tram 2

INNER CITY PARISH CHURCH (Belvárosi Plébániatemplom)
V., Március 15. tér.

This church is thought to be the oldest building in Pest. Although
the register dates back to 1688, a Roman style cathedral stood
here in the late 12th century, which was destroyed by the Mongol
invaders. Current dimensions date back to the 14th century. The
Turks converted it into a mosque, the memory of which a mihrab,
a prayer niche is in the chancel. This was the only Christian
church after the Sultan had built mosques. Burnt down in 1723,
rebuilt in Baroque in the 18th century. The most beautiful part is
the Gothic chancel. Open: daily 0800-1900

MAP
M3 Ferenciek tere BUS 7, red 7-173, 7/A, 78 Tram 2

LUTHERAN CHURCH (Evangélikus templom)
V., Deák Ferenc tér 5.

The Classicist church was built in 1799-1808. A plaque on the
facade tells that Lajos Kossuth, the great Hungarian statesman
had his sons baptised here. Few people know that the adjoining
National Lutheran Museum keeps the original will of Martin
Luther from 1542. The church is open during services only, Sun
0900, 1100 and 1800.

MAP
M1 M2 M3

MATTHIAS CHURCH (Mátyás-templom)
I., Szentháromság tér.

Officially called the Church of Our Lady, the church is named after
the main donor King Matthias, who got married here twice. This
symbol of the city was built in the 13th-15th c. in Gothic style.
When the Turks occupied Buda in 1541, it was turned into a
mosque and the frescoes whitewashed. After the retaking of
Buda, it went to the Jesuits, who made Baroque alterations.
Became a parish church after 1773. Restored in the second half
of the 19th c. and rebuilt in neo-Gothic style. Except during
services, the church is open throughout the year, Mon-Sat
1000-1700, Sun 1300-1700. Masses Mon-Fri 0830-0900 and
1200-1230, Sun 0830-0930 and 1200-1230. You can see a stone
collection, a relic collection, replicas of the coronation regalia, a
Hospitaller Chapel, and a fine collection of goldsmiths'
masterpieces in the treasury. The magnificent acoustics make it
into a popular concert venue. Open: daily 0930-1730. Closed: mid
Jan-mid Feb

MAP
Bus 16 Várbusz

PEST FRANCISCAN CHURCH (Pesti ferences templom)
V., Ferenciek tere 2.

A church stood here already in 1260. The high mass was
celebrated here when King Andrew III was crowned in 1290. In
the 16th c. the Turks converted it to a mosque, and after the town
had been taken back the Franciscan monks held the services in
the Muslim church for several decades. The current building was
erected in 1727-1743. The interior replicates the layout of the
Jesuit Gesu II church in Rome. Several of the frescoes were
painted for Hungary's Millennium celebrations (1896). A plaque
on the first bench on the right-hand side, close to the pulpit,
commemorates Franz Liszt, who lived in the monastery for a time.
Open: daily 0800-1900

MAP
M3 Ferenciek tere BUS 7, red 7-173, 7/A, 78

PEST SERBIAN (GREEK ORTHODOX) CHURCH (Pesti szerb
templom)
V., Szerb utca 2-4.

It stands in a small garden, accessible through 66 Váci utca. The
church was built by Serbian settlers, who arrived in the late 17th
century. The current appearance dates back to the 1750s. The
decorative portal to the church garden opens from Szerb utca.
The layout is single-aisled Orthodox, the iconostas is
neo-Renaissance. Remarkable are the goldsmith's articles,
Greek and Russian icons, textiles and ecclesiastic books kept in
the church. Open: Tue-Sun 1000-1600

MAP
M3 Ferenciek tere

Rózsák tere (Square of the Roses) catholic church

MAP

ST. GELLÉRT CAVE CHAPEL (Szent Gellért-sziklakápolna)
XI., Szent Gellért rkp. l/A.

A unique sight of Budapest, 25 meters above the level of the
Danube. The Paulines had a cave turned into a church, modelled
on the Lourdes cave, in 1926. In 1951 the Communist security
policy destroyed it, arrested the friars, and had the entrance
bricked up on a single night. It was returned the Order of St. Paul
in 1989. Using grants of the EU member countries, the
reconstruction was completed in 1992. Services: Mon-Sat 1100,
1700, 2000, Sun 0830, 1100, 1700, 2000.
Open: 0900-2100 (closed during services)

MAP
BUS 7, 7/A, 86 Tram 18, 47, 49

ST. STEPHEN'S BASILICA (Szent István-bazilika)
V., Szent István tér.

The construction of the largest church of the capital (seating
8,500 persons) was full of vicissitudes. No sooner did the
groundwork begin when the War of Independence broke out in
1848, then construction was resumed in 1851, followed by the
immediate death of the two architects, and even the dome
collapsed during the works. The church with a Greek cross plan
was finally consecrated in 1905, and in 1931 it was awarded the
title 'basilica minor' by the Holy Seat. It is 86 m long, 55 m wide,
with an area of 4,147 sq. m, and the dome is 96 m high (just as
that of Parliament building). The right tower houses the country's
biggest bell of 9 tonnes. The right hand of Stephen I, the first
Hungarian King, the Holy Right is kept here, which is paraded by
the faithful each 20th August. St. Stephen's skull relic is also
displayed here until 20th August, 2001. 19th c. ecclesiastical
objects in the Treasury. The dome provides great views of the city
(elevátort-137 steps).
Open: Treasury 0900-1700 May-Oct; 1000-1600 Nov-Apr
Lookout daily 1000-1800 Apr-Oct

MAP
M3 Arany János utca

SYNAGOGUE (Zsinagóga)
VII., Dohány u. 2-8.

Built in 1854-59, it is the world's second largest and Europe's
largest synagogue, with a seating capacity of 3,000. The
Romantic style is strongly mixed with Byzantine and Moorish
elements. The two onion-domes are 43 meter high, and even the
French composer Saint-Saéns played the organ there. Adjoining
to the fully restored building is the Hall Of Heroes, where the
Monument of Hungarian Jewish Martyrs was erected in 1991. The
Jewish Museum is next door. The concerts held in the
Synagogue are truly special. (It should be noted here what few
people in Budapest know that a plaque on a house in
Wesselényi utca, near the synagogue, indicates that Theodor
Herzl, the founder of modern Zionism was born there.)
Open: Mon-Fri 1000-1500, Sun 1000-1300
Services: Fri 1800, Sa 0900

MAP
M1 M2 M3 Deák tér Tram 47, 49 BUS 7, 7/A, 78 Trolley bus 74