Matthias Church (Mátyás Templom)
Szentháromság tér 2, Budapest, HUN
Matthias Church (Matays-templom), is a top sight in Budapest's must-see Castle Hill district. This Roman Catholic church boasts neo-Gothic architecture and intricate detailing, from ornately tiled roof and carved gargoyles, to frescoes and stained-glass windows. Visit Matthias Church as part of a Buda Castle complex tour.
Tour Matthias Church to learn about Budapest history. The church was used as a coronation site for Hungary's kings, and composer Franz Liszt's Coronation Mass was first performed inside. See the church on Buda walking tours, castle walking tours, and citywide bus tours. Tours typically visit the church and may include entry fees. Adventurous travelers can consider bike tours, scooter tours, and private tuk-tuk tours, which typically visit Castle Hill and pass by Matthias Church.
History enthusiasts should seek out the church's Madonna statue, which lore says saved the castle from Turkish invasion.
Pay special attention to the medieval columns on the church's Béla Tower, adorned with intricate carvings.
For a more intimate view, attend an evening concert at the church.
Danube River cruises are a great way to see the Castle Hill district from the water, and they often include extras like wine tasting.
To reach Matthias Church via public transportation, hop on the No. 16 bus. Take the bus from Deák Ferenc tér—on the Pest side of the Danube—and get off at Szentháromság Tér. The stop is outside the church, at 2 Szentháromság tér. For an easier option, consider a Castle District sightseeing tour—or a hop-on hop-off bus tour—which typically passes by Matthias Church and takes the guesswork out of navigating public transit.
The church is open Monday to Friday, from morning until early evening. On Saturday, the church is open from morning until just after lunch, and on Sunday it's open in the afternoon. The church is busiest on weekends and for concerts. To avoid crowds, visit on a weekday. If you visit at night, you may not be able to enter, but you'll enjoy the dramatic exterior lighting.
A stop to Matthias Church isn't complete without a visit to Fisherman's Bastion, a turreted structure built for the 19th century Hungarian Millennium celebration. Today, visitors enjoy panoramic views of the Danube River, the Hungarian Parliament, and the Pest side of the city. The site is free to visit, though you must pay a small entry fee to explore the upper towers.
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