Cave Church, Budapest
General view of the Cave Church in Budapest. Photo
Squiggle.
Entrance to the Cave Church. Photo
Karen Blaha.
Statue of St. Istvan outside the cave. Photo
Claus Wolf. 
Interior. Photo
Sean P. Scott.
Photo
Squiggle.
Photo
Ian Koh.
Virgin Mary statue in the cave. Photo
Squiggle.
Location map and aerial view of Cave Church. For a larger interactive view, see our Budapest Map.
Located on Gellert Hill overlooking Liberty Bridge (Szabadsaq Hid) in Budapest, the Cave Church is a unique grotto chapel cared for by the Hungarian Paulite order of monks. Closed during the Communist years, it has since been reopened and offers a peaceful respite from the noise of the city.
History
This cave on Gellert Hill was originally home to Saint Istvan, a hermit monk who cured the sick with thermal waters that sprung in front of the cave.
The Cave Church was founded in 1926 by expanding the hermit's cave. The church was further enlarged in the 1930s by the Archbishop of Kalocsa to hold more worshippers, using the grotto at Lourdes as a model.
In 1951, the Communist secret police arrested the entire order of Pauline monks. The superior Ferenc Vezer was condemned to death, while the others received 5- to 10-year prison sentences. The chapel was blocked up with a 2.25m thick concrete wall, behind which it stood silent for nearly 40 years.
After the fall of Communism in 1989, the Cave Church was returned to the Paulite order and immediately reopened.
What to See
The Cave Chapel's small interior, with natural rock walls and various niches filled with statues and altars, is atmospheric and peaceful. The acoustics of the cave make for a memorable experience when music is played during a service. Outside, there are fine views of Liberty Bridge and a modern statue of St. Istvan holding a church.
Quick Facts
Site Information |
| Names: | Cave Church; Cave Chapel; Church of St. Istvan; Gellert Hill Grotto |
| Dedicated to: | St. Istvan |
| Location: | Budapest, Budapest, Hungary |
| Categories: | Sacred Caves; Churches |
| Faith: | Christianity |
| Denomination: | Catholic |
| Order: | Paulite |
| Status: | active |
| Date: | 1926 |
Visitor Information |
| Coordinates: | 47.484765° N, 19.052262° E (view on Google Maps) |
| Hours: | Open daily 9am-8pm except during services |
| Cost: | Free |
| Public transport: | Bus: 7, 7A, 86, Teteny-busz Tram: 18, 19, 41, 47, 49, 118 to Szent Gellert ter stop |
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Article Sources
Article written by Holly Hayes with reference to the following sources:
- Budapest - The Cave Church - David Pride
- Cave Chapel Reviews - Virtual Tourist
More Information
Article last updated: 10/27/2009.
