Inner City Church, Budapest
Gothic and Baroque facade. Photo
youngrobv.
Inner City Church and the Erzsébet Bridge. Photo
Bill Barber.
Detail of west towers. Photo
Jonny T.
Location map and aerial view of Inner City Church. For a larger interactive view, see our Budapest Map.
The Inner City Parish Church (Belvárosi Plébániatemplom) in Budapest, located next to the Erzsébet Bridge on the Danube, is the oldest building on the Pest side of the city.
History
This site along the river has long been considered sacred, as it is home to the 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, this 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.
The Inner City Church was almost torn down when the Erzsébet Bridge was built in the late 19th century. Fortunately, the city approved an alternative plan, in which the new bridge would wind around the church (an interesting construction best viewed from Gellért Hill).
What to See
The west facade combines Gothic and Baroque elements, with twin towers and a yellowy hue. Both styles can also be seen in the interior niches. One of the highlights of the interior is a mihrab (prayer niche), a relic of the Turkish occupation when the church was used as a mosque. The altarpiece was painted by the 20th-century artist Pál Molnár, whose work can also be seen in St. Anne's Church.
Quick Facts
Site Information |
| Names: | Inner City Church; Belvárosi Plébániatemplom |
| Location: | Budapest, Budapest, Hungary |
| Category: | Churches |
| Faith: | Christianity |
| Denomination: | Catholic |
| Status: | active |
| Date: | 14th century |
| Architecture: | Gothic |
Visitor Information |
| Coordinates: | 47.492218° N, 19.052299° E (view on Google Maps) |
| Phone: | 1/318-3108 |
| Hours: | Mon-Sat 6am-7pm, Sun 8am-7pm |
| Cost: | Free |
| Services: | Daily mass: 6:30am and 6pm Sunday mass: 9am, 10am, noon, and 6pm |
| Public transport: | Metro: Ferenciek tere (Blue line) |
Travel Resources for Budapest
- Budapest Map - our detailed interactive map of Budapest, plus hand-picked links to more
- Budapest Guided Tours - book sightseeing tours and activities in Budapest
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- Budapest Restaurant Reviews - the best places to eat in town
- Budapest Travel Forum - tips, answers and advice on Budapest tourism
Article Sources
Article written by Holly Hayes with reference to the following sources:
- Frommer's Budapest & the Best of Hungary.
- Gerard Sagredo - Wikipedia
