Nestled in the hustle and bustle of downtown Pest, the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, better known as the University Church, is one of Hungary’s most valuable and beautiful Baroque churches, preserved in its original state. This church is not only architecturally beautiful, but also historically significant: during the 1848-49 War of Independence, the Parliament met here once.
The church was built by the Pauline monks after the expulsion of the Ottoman Turks but was only in their use for a short time. The signs of the Pauline roots are most evident at the high altar, where a copy of the icon of the Black Madonna of Częstochowa — one of the holiest images of the Pauline Order — is also displayed. The ceiling frescoes of the church were painted by Johann Bergl, the artist who also left his mark on Schönbrunn Palace and the library hall of Melk Abbey.
Many distinguished, high-ranking guests have visited the church— even Maria Theresa herself in 1751. Later it became a popular wedding venue among the aristocracy, where members of the most prominent noble families, including Nádasdy, Zichy, Esterházy, Festetics, Károlyi and the Andrássy dynasties, pledged their eternal vows.
Today, the church impresses visitors with its Baroque splendour, while the monastery garden— part of the Central Seminary in the adjacent building — offers an island of peace and quiet, shutting out the noise of the city. On the seminary’s second floor, the Pauline Library, a Baroque hall richly adorned with frescoes and intricately carved furniture, stands as another remarkable treasure.
Did you know?
For many decades, between April 1, 1928 and June 10, 2000, the bell chime at noon of the Hungarian Radio was broadcast from this church.
