The Church of the Assumption in Budapest
Like Vienna and Prague, Budapest is another European city where art, architecture and faith merge for a fascinating conglomeration of earthly and heavenly creation, and also a crossroads of cultures. As the capital of Hungary, a nation and people with a strong Catholic identity, the city was also under Ottoman Turkish rule for several generations.
The Church of the Assumption, also known as Assumption Church and the Church of Our Lady of Buda (The modern city of Budapest is actually an amalgamation of the formerly twin cities of Buda and Pest along the Danube River), is a testimony to the long, and often tumultuous history of the city. Originally built in 1015 AD and also sometimes colloquially referred to as Matthias Church due to the namesake of its patron-builder, King Matthias, the church has undergone numerous reconstructions, renovations and was even repurposed as a mosque by the ruling Ottoman Turks during much of the 16th and 17th centuries. In 1686, during a siege by Christian forces aiming to overthrow the Turkish ruler, an interior wall collapsed, revealing a hidden statue of Mary, Our Lady of the Hungarians. It is said that the remaining Turkish fighters took this as a sign of their inevitable defeat and surrendered the city. The statue was brought through Buda in a triumphal procession and then given a primary place of distinction in the rebuilt, reconsecrated church. To this day, the church is a primary place of devotion to this national Marian image.
Rebuilt by the Jesuit Order, Church became one of the most splendid places of worship in south-central Europe, noted for its ornate exterior stonework and Gothic and Baroque architectural style and massive bell tower. The interior is noted for its exquisite interior decoration, suitable for its role as a coronation church for royalty and nobility throughout the ages, with practically every surface illuminated in rich color. The chapel of Loretto within the church also serves as a crypt for one of Hungary’s most important royal couples from the 12th century. Today, the church still serves as one of Hungary’s most important sacred spaces.
Other churches in Budapest are also worth visiting. St. Stephen’s Basilica is a repurposed theatre constructed in NeoClassical style and consecrated in 1905 and now serves as co-cathedral for the archdiocese. Built for entertainment, it still serves as a frequent venue for classical music concerts on a regular basis. A truly fascinating place of worship is Saint Catherine of Alexandria, which was first built as a mosque and then repurposed as a Catholic parish church in the 17th century. Today, the present structure is almost entirely comprised of later eras of construction and renovation, and serves as an excellent example of historical Hungarian church architecture from the 18th and 19th centuries, with its pointed spire sitting on an onion-domed base.
A beautiful gateway city to both the Balkans to the south and the trans-Carpathian region to the east, Budapest has stood the test of time, all the while not forgetting its devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary or its Catholic legacy.
Be Not Afraid!
Good Shepherd Travel offers trips to Budapest, as well as Rome, Lourdes, Fatima, Ireland, and many other destinations across Europe. And of course, we love Jerusalem and the Holy Land best! For more information on how to begin preparing for a pilgrimage in late 2021 and 2022, contact Tony AbuAita at Tony@goodshepherdtravel.com.