Matthias Church, Roman Catholic church in Castle District, Budapest, Hungary
Matthias Church is a Catholic place of worship in the Castle District of Budapest with two unequal towers and a roof covered in colored tiles. The facade shows pointed arches, narrow windows and carved portals, while the interior consists of several aisles under high vaults.
King Béla IV had a first church built on this site in 1255, which was later rebuilt several times. Architect Frigyes Schulek carried out a complete transformation in the Gothic Revival style between 1873 and 1896.
The name honors King Matthias Corvinus, whose coat of arms appears twice in the south wall. During local weddings and concerts, the interior fills with sounds that echo off the high vaults.
The main entrance opens onto Trinity Square, and guided tours are offered in several languages during the day. The building sits on a hill, so comfortable shoes are recommended and some time should be allowed for the climb.
During the Ottoman occupation, the building was used as a mosque, and Christian artworks remained hidden behind thick walls. A statue of the Virgin Mary reappeared in 1686 when parts of the wall collapsed.
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