Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary

We found this gem of a church down by the Danube near the Elizabeth Bridge. A church has been on this site since the 1000's. It was originlly built by St. Istvan, the first king of Hungary. In the 14th century it was rebuilt. The Turks used it for a mosque. It has been repeatedly burned and restored. The current restoration has produced a beautiful building.



It has great chandeliers accenting the marble and painted decorations.

This one is nearest the back of the nave where the organ loft is located.

And a mighty organ it is. This is the instrument played by Liszt during his tenure living next to this church. Everywhere we go in this ancient city we encounter the trails of people we have known and read about our entire lives. I'll bet hearing Liszt play this was really something special.

This section of the ceiling in complementary colors of blue and yellow create a calming feeling. At least until you look toward the altar.

This ornate pulpit is built around a column with a multicolored rib vault sitting atop it.

The many colors in the groin vaulted section that run up the ribs and across the ceiling give it a festive look.

Over the high altar is cross with Jesus painted on it.

Behind the altar, at the apex of the ambulatory, a fresco of the Madonna. Legend has it that during the siege of Buda in 1686, Turkish invaders in side the church were dispirited when a wall collapsed revealing this image. While this did not turn the tide and Buda still fell to the invaders, it certainly got their attention.

One of the few remnants of the Turkish occupation when this was used a a mosque (a Djami), it a small niche or Mihrab in the wall near the altar. Although much of the church was in ruins then (the entire nave, example was missing), it was in use then.

Part of the recent renovation included excavation below floor level to unearth the ruins of the housing of a Roman garrison. In one section, the stone floor is replaced with glass allow a view of the Roman ruins below your feet while reflecting the pews and windows above.

In one of the chapels, we find the reliquary of St. Ladislaus but not his bones. Not sure where they are today, but the holder for them is sitting right here.

One the rear wall, under the great organ, is this plaque commemorating the life of Ferenc Liszt (to us, this is Franz Liszt since Hungarian names are last name first) and Artúr Harmat.

This poor photo below shows a case holding items offered to the Virgin Mary when praying for her to intercede on your behalf. The small metal tokens reflect what was being requested. Hearts are likely to be a request for true love or marriage. Body parts are likely to ask for healing.

When the request was granted, the petitioner installed a small marble plaque with his/her name engraved on it as sign of their thanks (and success).

This was an altogether interesting church. I highly recommend it for a visit when you are in Budapest.