This is the best known and most spectacular Catholic Church in Budapest. Located in the castle district and founded by the important Saint Stephen, this church’s immense spire is a key feature of Budapest’s skyline. From up to close the details reflect the significance of the building and make it a sight worth seeing both from near and afar.

Saint Steven founded the first Church of Mary. The related tradition, witch was generally accepted until the 20th century, was public belief in the Middle Ages. After the period of Turkish rule, the church was known as the Church of Saint Steven, and the 900th anniversary of its foundation was celebrated in 1915. The tower is now in the gothic style, but the church has even served as a Turkish mosque in one of its reincarnations.

The Church of Our Lady (its official name) had a rich music life already in the Middle Ages. In the nearby Dominican monastery (where Hotel Hilton stands today) church services were conducted with the participation of a large monk community, witch probably encouraged local music life and the quality of daily masses and vespers. As importance of the city of Buda increased, the main church became the site of national events.