TWO OF BUDAPEST'S SYMBOL'S AND HIGHLIGHTS

 Matthias Church

            Also called the Church of Our Lady or Coronation Church, Matthias Church is a beautiful turn of the century neo-Gothic structure. Symbol of the city’s Castle District, this is where kings were crowned. The raven, the sign of 15^th century kings, can be seen on the towers.

            The earliest remains of the church date back to the 13th century when King Béla IV. (1206-1270) commissioned the building of a church at Castle Hill after the 1241-42 Mongol invasion. The north tower was built at that time (1255-1269)

            King Matthias Corvinus expanded and embellished the building in Renaissance style and  added the 195-foot high southern  tower. The Matthias bell tower bears a raven holding a golden ring in its beak, the royal coat of arms.          

            Our guide told us, “King Matthias was known for his fairness and justice, and Hungary flourished under his rule. He was married twice in the church that bears his name. Built in the 13-15^th centuries, it is another symbol of Budapest.

In 1541 the Turks invaded Hungary and occupied the country for 150 years. The Turks turned the church into a mosque and white-washed the wall covered frescos. After Buda was retaken, the Jesuits were given the church and made some Baroque alterations. The church became a parish church in 1773. It was restored in the latter part of the 19^th century in neo-gothic style.

            The exterior and the frescos as well as the marvelous stained windows originate from that era and are the works of Hungary's greatest artists of the time.

             Today, inside  the church one wall retains  its Turkish geometric design, while frescos are evident elsewhere.  The structure has a beautiful mosaic roof. Because of the exceptional acoustics, concerts are often held in the church.

            A memorial plaque on the outside of the church commemorates all who lost their lives while the country was under Hitler and Stalin rule.

Fisherman’s Bastion

             Perched on the edge of the Castle District behind Matthias Church is a neo-Romanesque structure known as Fisherman’s Bastion. Built at the turn of the century in the location of the old fish market; it  provides  a panoramic view of the Danube River and Pest. The seven towers represent the seven tribes of Hungarians when they settled down by the Danube in the Carpathian basin in 896. The building has many turrets, terraces, parapets and stairways offering  exceptional views.It is an unforgettable landmark in Budapest.

            Fishermen's Bastion never was used for military defensive purposes; it was created only for decorative reasons.

          From the backside of the structure one can view part of a medieval wall that is between it and the Hilton Hotel.  When the medieval ruins were discovered during the construction of the hotel, the hotel’s design was altered to accommodate, not destroy, the ruins.

   Nearby is a statue of St. Stephen atop his horse.