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Religious Sites in Budapest
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Basilica of St Stephen
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Address: Szent István tér 33
Phone: +36 1 317 2859
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Website: http://www.basilica.hu
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 see map
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St Stephen's Basilica is the largest church in Budapest, housing around 8,000 worshippers. Designed by Jozsef Hild in 1845, it was opened by the Austrian Emperor Francis Joseph in 1906. However, the church was terribly damaged by the bombing raids during World War II. Nowadays, the church attracts pilgrims from all over Europe as it holds the most revered relic for Hungarian Catholics, which is the mummified right hand of Saint Stephen. Of particular interest is also Gyula Benczúr's painting of Saint Stephen offering the crown of Hungary to the Virgin Mary. The church stands in the heart of colourful St Stephen's Square, and it is always crowded with travellers and locals sipping their coffee in numerous open-air cafes.
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Castle Theatre
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Address: Szinház utca 1-3
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Originally constructed as a Carmelite church in the 18th Century, this building was then converted into a theatre under the order of Emperor Joseph II. Despite being heavily damaged in the war, the theatre still retains its original baroque facade. Inside there is also a small gallery made from marble and concrete. The theatre wasn't renovated until the late 1970s, before re-opening to the public in 1978.
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The Central Synagogue
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Address: Dóhany utca 2
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see map
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This is the city's great synagogue, designed by Lajos Förster and completed in 1859. It comprises two impressive Moorish style arches making it one of the major landmarks in the area of Pest. The elaborate facade is decorated with brickwork representing the heraldic colours of Budapest: blue, yellow and red. Next to the synagogue stands the Heroes Temple with a capacity of 250 people, which is still used for religious services on weekdays. In the courtyard there is the large Garden of Remembrance with a statue of a weeping willow. Designed by Imre Varga, it was built to commemorate the Hungarian Jews who lost their lives during World War I.
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Church of St Anne
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Address: Batthyány tér 8
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see map
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Situated on the south side of Budapest, this fine Baroque building is a popular place of worship for Catholics from around the world. Over the years the church has survived several floods, earthquakes and two World Wars. Inside there is a high altar with the statues of Virgin Mary and St Anne, surrounded by the group of angels and cherubs. The church's facade is covered with wonderful oval domed ceiling frescoes by Pál Molnar.
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Inner City Parish Church (Belvárosi Plébániatemplo
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Address: Március 15 tér
Phone: +36 1 318 3108
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see map
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Standing at the Pest end of the Elizabeth Bridge, this church is the oldest building of this area, with its origins deriving from the 12th Century. The first church built on this spot was constructed over the ruins of the ancient Roman walls of the Aquincum fortress. In the early 14th Century it was converted into a Gothic church, which was then used by Turks as a mosque during their occupation of the city. From this period survived an authentic Muslim prayer niche, called mihrab. Nowadays, there can still be seen some Gothic and baroque elements inside the temple. There is also a large fresco on the altar, painted by the contemporary artist Pál Molnár.
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Mary Magdelene Tower
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Address: Országház utca/Kapisztrán tér
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Nowadays, the Mary Magdelene Tower (Mária Magdolna Torony) is the only part that has remained of the Romanesque Franciscan church from the 13th Century which once stood at this spot. Although the tower is primarily a post-war reconstruction, it has a rich and turbulent history.
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The Matthias Church
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Address: Szentháromság tér 2
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In the centre of Buda's Castle District stands the Mátyás Templom (officially called the Church of Our Lady). It owes its name to King Matthias Corvinus who ordered the construction of the first tower of the church. This 700-year-old building serves as a symbol of the city's rich and tragic history.
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Cave Church (Siklatemplom)
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Address: Gellérthegy
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Founded by the Order of Paulites, this unique church, which is carved under the ground, was first consecrated in 1926. It was extended in the 1930s by the Archbishop of Kalocsa to hold larger numbers of worshippers; however, it was boarded up by the Communists just until 1989, when it was re-opened.
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