Two of Budapest’s most iconic sites, Matthias Church and Fisherman’s Bastion, captivate travelers with their fascinating history and stunning city views.
History
Matthias Church in Budapest has a long, storied history. Before the founding of the current church in the 13th century, the site was home to the Church of Mary, which was established by St. Stephen in 1015 and later destroyed by the Mongols around 1241. It was then that King Bela IV built Matthias Church with King Matthias Corvinus, the church’s namesake, expanding the church in the 15th century. This expansion included the construction of the southern high tower (Matthias Bell Tower).
During the 1500s, the church was occupied by Turks and converted to a mosque. After the Turkish occupation, a new church was constructed, mainly in a Baroque style, and then in the 19th century, the building was restored to a Neo-Gothic style.
Matthias Church sits on a hill, next to Fisherman’s Bastion. From this site, visitors have amazing views of the Danube River and the Pest side of Budapest.
Visiting Matthias Church
I visited Matthias Church as part of Rick Steves’ Best of Prague and Budapest tour, and it was a wonderful experience. Matthias Church is a must-see site with a rich history and an interior filled with beautiful frescoes, stained glass windows, and magnificent architectural features. My visit was enhanced by our tour guide, Andrea, who did a masterful job of explaining the church’s history and key features of the site. If you are visiting Matthias Church without a tour group, I recommend renting an audio guide.
Matthias Church sits atop Buda Castle Hill and can be reached via bus or the funicular. If you purchased a Budapest transportation pass, bus fare is included, but admission to the funicular is an additional cost. I highly recommend public transportation, especially if staying in Pest, because it is a long, uphill walk.
A visit to Matthias Church and Fisherman’s Bastion should take about 2 hours. This is a site you don’t want to rush; take your time exploring the church and strolling through the bastion and admiring the views. For Matthias Church, an admission ticket must be purchased, and it can be bought in person or online. There is also an option to buy a ticket to climb the tower, and this pass includes a short guided tour. The section below has more information on visiting the Fisherman’s Bastion.
The tower is not accessible as it requires visitors to climb 197 steps to reach the top.
Discounted tickets are available for certain age groups and families with more than one child.
Visiting Fisherman’s Bastion
Built between 1895 and 1902, Fisherman’s Bastion is a series of lookout towers and terraces bordering Matthias Church. Most of Fisherman’s Bastion is free to visit, but there is a small fee to explore the upper towers. At the site, travelers will find a ticket vending machine where they can purchase tickets and obtain information in several languages.
Admission to the upper towers is free during these times: June through September, before 9:00 AM and after 9:00 PM; October through May, before 9:00 AM and after 7:00 PM. It is also free on certain days of the year.
Resources
For more information, visit the websites for Budapest’s Matthias Church and the Fisherman’s Bastion.
The first video was taken from Fisherman’s Bastion (I removed the background noise). The video shows the Hungarian Parliament Building and St. Stephen’s Basilica in the distance. The second video is from Matthias Church, where the church’s organist surprised guests with an impromptu performance. Can you guess the musical score?
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