Mathias Church (Mátyás-templom), Budapest

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The Mátyás church has a beautiful, richly decorated interior, but not in the glintzy, overly shiny way that so many catholic churches do. Somehow this church seems much more tasteful. There is a small museum upstairs in the gallery exhibiting some of the churches riches and even the stone spiral staircase up to this level in wonderfully decorated in such great detail.

The church is also the burial place of King Bela III and his wife and nearby to their sarcophagus is a replica of the Hungarian crown jewels.

There is a fee to enter the church and this must be paid at one of the windows opposite the entrance to the church marked "CASSA". There is a 10% discount on the price if you have a Budapest card.

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This is one of the main churches in Budapest, which at some point (during the Turkish period) was a mosque too. You can notice that in the inner decoration, which is beautiful and colorful, different from most churches'.

However, it has some areas which haven't been refurbished and it looks a bit run down; there even is a chapel with their main worship figure/sculpture (a Virgin) inside which is in ruins and not open to the public, so the sculpture can barely be seen. It seems like someone's working on it, but I didn't see anybody at work, just materials and tools scattered all over. This is a bit disappointing especially taking into account that it is not cheap to access the church -- oh yes, you ALSO have to pay to go inside this church..... the fee is 5 USD (3.50 EUR) per person (2011), which I think is pretty high for a church which should be FREE like mostly everywhere. I suppose those funds go to the church's refurbishment works, but it seems that work is progressing very slowly, if at all.

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Located on Castle Hill, with one of the most magnificent views in the city, the Matyas Church was originally built in the 1300's and served as the German community parish church. In the Middle Ages Hungarians were not even allowed to worship there.

The church has been rebuilt and redesigned several times, which explains what might seem the large variety of styles. To me it seemed like an interesting mixture of styles and also a neat mixture of East and West. Remember, after all, the Matyas Church had been converted to a mosque during the Turkish occupation in the 1500's.

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Matthias Church (Mátyás-templom) is a landmark on Budapest's Castle Hill. While the original church was built in the eleventh century in Romanesque style, the late Gothic church on the site today was built in the late 1300s and then underwent massive restorations in the 1800s. Even today parts of the church remain under construction. As Buda changed hands so did the church, serving as a mosque in the sixteenth century and a church-museum today (the Ecclesiastical Art Museum starts in the crypt). To visit the church as a tourist you must purchase a ticket, though those wishing to pray may enter the chapel free of charge. Audio guides are also available. It's a church... be respectful.

Another name of this building is the church of Our Lady and Coronation church. The main church in Budapest from old times, then King Bela IV ruled the country. It must be bought a ticket to go inside this church with gothic decoration and style. The outside is gothic too, but rebuilt in the second half of 19th century.

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The Coronation Church (actually named Matthias Church) was originally built by King Bela IV in the 13th Century after the Mongols left. The Turks converted it to a mosque in the 16th century and painted over the frescoes. Very little is left of the original building, and the current church is only a few centuries old. It has a colorful tile roof and beautiful 200-year old stained glass windows. The windows survived because they were taken out and stored before each war.

I some of the oldest church in Budapest who dates from 1255 by some documents, and the turks was ussed this by a mosque, during their occupation in Hungary, and after defeact of the turks the church was rebuild, at XIX century. This impressive church is very unique from the others of Budapest, and makes very special at this location on the castle hill.

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# Phone: (+36 1) 489-0717
# Directions: In the Castle District, next to Fisherman's Bastion. 'Varbusz' service from Moszkva ter metro to Szentharomsag ter or bus #16 from Deak F. ter to Disz ter.
# Website: http://www.matyas-templom.hu

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You can't miss Matthias Church as it is one of the dominating buildings in Castle Area. Located just beside Fishermen's Bastion, this gothic church has a history reaching 13th century. The current name comes from King Matthias who got married twice in this church and who has been the main donor. The tiles on the roof make this church remarkable. There is a museum inside the church which exhibits artifacts and relics. However, in recent years it is under renovation and still not open to public. When you are in castle region, you must pay a visit to this beautiful church. Admission fee is 750 HUF.