What To See Inside Matthias Church in Budapest, Hungary

Matthias Church is a beautiful building in the Buda Castle District of Budapest. The church is very photogenic inside and outside and is one of the nicest churches in Hungary.

The church is free to explore outside and is a big focal point of exploring Buda Castle. If you like churches or Gothic architecture, then the inside is both interesting and beautiful.

We visited many times and found the area outside perfect for dog walks, and it is particularly special during the sunrise. Quieter parts of the day are ideal for seeing the details up close or taking photos.

About Matthias Church in Budapest

Matthias Church, also known as the Church of the Assumption of the Buda Castle and the Coronation Church of Buda, is a Catholic church in Holy Trinity Square. The current church building was constructed in the florid late Gothic style of architecture back in the 14th century. It was significantly restored in the late 19th century.

Matthias Church has an interesting history, including being a mosque for 150 years while Budapest was under Ottoman rule. Two kings were crowned at Matthias Church.

Is Matthias Church in Budapest Worth Visiting?

Yes, Matthias Church is worth visiting if you enjoy historic churches, Gothic architecture and colourful interiors. The outside is free to see, while the paid interior gives access to the nave, main altar, Royal Oratory, chapels, frescoes and a museum.

Tickets to Visit Inside

The church is typically open from 9 am until 5 pm; however, check their website for current opening hours and prices, as these sometimes change. You can also visit the church as part of an organised walking tour, some of which are available on the GetYourGuide website. You can also climb the tower or visit the crypt with an extra ticket.

For my visit, I purchased a ticket on the day at the kiosk opposite the entrance. There was a bit of a queue, which was offset by the surroundings. You can also arrange tours here.

They also host concerts in the evenings; you can book tickets and see their schedule on their website.

What’s Inside Matthias Church

When visiting, expect to see church decor unlike anything you’ve seen before. It has all the usual church features but very intricate details and lots of colour. The inside really impressed me and instantly jumped onto my recommendations list of things to do in Budapest.

Nave

Looking down the nave towards the high altar is special; you can see lots of unique decor and many key features of the site. This includes the high altar, the pulpit, and the Royal Oratory. There are rows of pews where you can sit and take it all in.

Facing the other way, you can see the circular stained glass window at the rear of the nave.

The edges also have plenty to notice, including stained glass windows, side chapels and frescoes.

Main Altar

The main altar at the Neo-Gothic Matthias Church is gilded and stunning to see, and it is the main focal point inside. It was created by Hungarian architect Frigyes Schulek between 1874 and 1896 and dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The design is in the Neo-Gothic style, with hand-carved details and decorative paintings.

Pulpit

The pulpit is one of the most special ones I’ve seen on my travels and has lots of decorative features. It was built between 1890 and 1893 while the church was undergoing its neo-Gothic restorations.

Royal Oratory

The Royal Oratory is a balcony-like gallery located on the upper level of the church. This area was reserved for Hungarian royalty, including Emperor Franz Joseph I and Sisi. To access this part, you ascend an ornate Neo-Gothic staircase.

This area has lots of balconies, and you can see the entire nave and chancel from above. It was ideal for photographs on my visit, as the views were beautiful. This was one of my favourite parts of the inside.

This area also has royal and Hungarian artefacts and exhibits, including replica crown jewels and thrones used by King Charles IV and Queen Zita. You can also see some of the church’s treasures in this area and learn about the roof tiles.

Trinity Chapel

The Holy Trinity Chapel was special to visit; it houses the ornate sarcophagus of King Béla III and his wife, Anne of Chatillon. The chapel also contains the Throne of Grace altarpiece, which was pretty unique, and you can also see some 15th-century artefacts in the chapel.

Holy Cross Chapel

The Holy Cross Chapel is a highly decorated, neo-Gothic side chapel with historic wall frescoes. It houses a striking Pietà altar carved by the sculptor Ferenc Mikula.

Saint Ladislaus Chapel

The Saint Ladislaus Chapel has an ornate interior, with detailed floor-to-ceiling frescoes. It also has an altar holding a replica of his famous head reliquary.

St. Stephen Chapel

The Saint Stephen Chapel (Szent István) features richly decorated walls with detailed frescoes depicting the saint’s life. There are also stained glass windows showcasing other Hungarian saints.

St Emmerich (Imre) Chapel

The chapel’s main feature is a winged altar displaying statues of Saint Stephen (Hungary’s first Christian king), Saint Emeric (the son of King Stephen, who holds a lily), and Saint Gerard (Gellért) (the first Bishop of Csanád).

Frescoes

Throughout the church, eye-catching frescoes cover the walls, depicting religious scenes. These added to the experience and made the church stand out compared to other churches. Two that caught my eye were Bertalan Székely’s murals of angels and Saint Francis of Assisi preaching to birds.

Outside Views of Matthias Church (The Free Parts)

The entire church and the surrounding area of the Fisherman’s Bastion are stunning, especially the spires and roof. Exploring outside is free and well worth it for the details.

If it’s quiet, a small staircase near the Statue of Stephen is a great place to photograph the church. The garden to the side of the church is also quite special.