Matthias Church

Over 800 years old, the Church of the Assumption of the Buda Castle—or more simply, the Matthias Church—has witnessed every major event that has shaped Budapest. Invasion, triumph, destruction, coronations, millennium celebrations, the fall of the Habsburgs… this is more than a religious building. It’s a symbol of Hungarian identity, standing proudly between two towers. Built between the 13th and 15th centuries, this Catholic church was converted into a mosque during the 16th century Ottoman occupation. Rebuilt several times, its final form showcases Neo-Gothic architecture, with a colourful glazed roof. In 1916, Charles IV, the last king of the Habsburg dynasty, got married in this church. But there’s also an interesting legend… It’s said that during the Ottoman occupation, one of the church walls suddenly collapsed, revealing a hidden statue of the Virgin Mary. The Turks believed this to be a sign of their defeat, and they lost their control over the city on the same day. To explore the site or climb the open bell tower, you’ll have to pay the entrance fee.