Belváros Church, Budapest, Hungary

Belváros (Inner City) Church is the oldest building in Pest side of river in Budapest. It was built in 1046 as a grave of Bishop St. Gellért (c. 980-1046), a missionary from Italy who played an instrumental role in converting Hungary to Christianity. According to tradition, he was martyred by angry pagans who rolled him down a hill across the river, which was named Gellért Hill in his honor.

The first church constructed on this spot was a 12th-century Romanesque structure built inside the ruined walls of the Roman fortress of Contra-Aquincum. In the early 14th century, after destroyed by Mongols, this church was replaced by a Gothic church which still stands today. It has been frequently renovated and remodeled in accordance with contemporary fashions, so its medieval origins are not obvious at first glance.

During the reign of Ottoman Empire Belváros was used as a mosque and in 1702 it was returned as a Christian church by Jesuits. The Rococo style pulpit dates from 1808.

User Reviews

Chris Townsend (5 months ago)
Currently lift is not working. But as a result my wife and I got in for free to the ground floor. Beautiful church (oldest in Budapest)with a lot of history.

Anthony Evans (7 months ago)
Wow... we found this church by accident. What a wonderful church and recommended for every tourist as a visit... I was overwhelmed at what a wonderful place this is to visit. Please go and see for yourself, you won't be disappointed!

Andy Low (10 months ago)
The Budapest Inner-City Mother Church of Our Lady of the Assumption, or Budapest-Belvárosi Nagyboldogasszony Főplébánia-templom, offers a unique experience for visitors seeking a spiritual and scenic journey.Upon entering, visitors are greeted by a beautiful interior that exudes a sense of serenity and reverence. The intricate architecture and ornate decor create a captivating atmosphere, inviting visitors to pause and reflect.For those willing to venture to the top, a lift awaits to whisk them upwards to breathtaking heights. From the upper levels, visitors are treated to an amazing view of Budapest, with panoramic vistas stretching as far as the eye can see.In summary, the Budapest Inner-City Mother Church of Our Lady of the Assumption is not only a place of worship but also a destination for those seeking beauty and perspective. Whether admiring the stunning interior or taking in the awe-inspiring views from above, it promises a memorable and enriching experience for all who visit.

AMG.17 (11 months ago)
The earliest features of the church date back to the Romanesque period. In 1046, St. Gellért (Gerard), Bishop of Csanád, was buried there. Wikipedia

Andy Z (12 months ago)
A beautiful church with almost a thousand years of history (even older if you count the Roman ruins beneath the church). The church is filled with intricate carvings and statues, as well as previous murals and artifacts. You can go beneath the church into the crypts and take an elevator to go up the tower.

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The beginning of the building of the church was placed to the second half of the 8th century, and it is supposed to have been completed in the 9th century. The Zadar bishop and diplomat Donat (8th and 9th centuries) is credited with the building of the church. He led the representations of the Dalmatian cities to Constantinople and Charles the Great, which is why this church bears slight resemblance to Charlemagne's court chapels, especially the one in Aachen, and also to the Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna. It belongs to the Pre-Romanesque architectural period.

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Belváros Church

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