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Budapest – Trinity Square

In the Castle District, Trinity square includes the Trinity Column, the House of the Hungarian Culture Foundation (event location), the Old City Hall and Matthias church.

Trinity Column

It is also next to the Fisherman’s Bastion.  In its center, the Trinity Column is a memorial, a gratitude to the end of the Black Plague. It was offered by the citizens in exchange for protection from other pandemics. While the foundation stone was laid in 1700 the column was erected around 1713.  The Black Plague had two periods, one in 1691 and the other in 1709.

Matthias Church

Matthias church, also known as Church of our Lady, has seen historical events, both noble and tragic.  For years, under the different reigns, it was expended, improved, refreshed and rebuilt. While under reconstruction, the building went from a Christian church to a mosque. During the Turkish occupation, many religious pieces were wantonly destroyed.

According to some sources, the first church situated where Matthias church can now be found, was constructed in 1015 under the request of King or St. Stephen. 

While many churches bear the name of a saint, this one is after a king who was cherished by the community.

From the history is this church, efforts were made to have a religious church at this location.  Today it has a beautiful exterior with a colorful roof. The interior is also beautiful.  Make sure to verify opening hours as not to miss this opportunity as we did.

For those interested in some historical moments:

  • 1015 According to legend, it was the site of a church founded by St. Stephen
    • 1000-1038 King Stephen I reigned (first King of Hungary)
  • 1241-1242 Invasion of the Tartars,
  • 1247 (1255-1269) Under the reign of King Béla IV.  a three-towered cathedral was built.
    • 1235-1270 King Bela IV (Hungary and Croatia) reigned
  • 1309 Charles I was the 1st king to be crowned at this church
    • 1308-1342 King Charles I (Hungary and Croatia)
  • 1370 Updated to a Gothic style
  • 1384 One of the tower collapsed during a Holy Mass
  • 1414 Major renovation
  • 1458  Matthias Corvinus attended the Thanksgiving Mass.
  • 1458 to 1490 When King Matthias reigned over the country improvements to the church were performed  *the church is named after him*
  • 1463 King Matthias married Catherine of Podebrady
  • 1470 New tower with coat-of-arms
  • 1476 King Matthias remarried Beatrice of Aragon (or of Naples)
  • 1490-1516 King Vladislaus II (Hungary and Croatia)
  • 1515 King Vladislaus II donated a Madonna sculpture
  • 1516-1526 King Louis II (Hungary and Croatia)
  • 1526 Turkish Occupation
  • 1526-1570 The throne was contested
  • 1541 Church was rebuilt
  • 1541 2nd Turkish occupation.  Matthias church was turned into a Mosque – much was devastated (All other churches in the city were destroyed)
  • 1686 During prayers, after being hit by a cannon ball, an old Madonna statue was discovered behind a collapsed wall.  The Turkish troop left the same day.
  • 1686 Christian troops reconquered Buda
  • 1723 A great fire destroyed the church
  • 1780 A new burial chapel was built
  • 1810 A clock tower was completed
  • 1867 Franz Joseph I, Emperor of Austria, and his wife Queen Elisabeth, were crowned Hungarian king and queen (yes, Princess Sissi)
  • 1873 Franz Joseph I ordered the reconstruction (current appearance)
  • 1896 Prince Primate Kolos renovated the building
  • 1898 The remains of King Bella III and his wife, Anne of Chatillon, were reburied in the Holy Trinity Chapel.
  • 1907 Franz Joseph donation a new organ
  • 1916 King Charles IV and his wife, Zita of Bourbon-Parma, were crowned (coronation of the last king of Hungary) – reign until 1918
  • 1933-1944 The church was restored
  • 1944-1945 It was severely damaged during World War II
  • 1954 It was restored and rebuilt
  • 1991 Saint Pope John Paul II visited
  • 1994 A bomb exploded – I was restored and renovated in consequence
  • 2004-2013 Refurbished again
  • 2010 New bells added

St Stephen I Statue

Between the church and the Fisherman Bastion, you will find a bronze equestrian statue of Saint Stephen I, first king of Hungary who reign from 1000 to 1038.

There is so many things to see in this area. It is not a detour, it is simply part of the total experience when you are in the area.

Take the time to appreciate this, it is worth the time.

For an overview of Budapest click here.

For all posts on Budapest/Hungary click here.

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