Cave Church, Budapest
Located on Gellert Hill overlooking Liberty Bridge (Szabadsaq Hid) in Budapest, the Cave Church is a unique grotto chapel cared for by the Hungarian Paulite order of monks. Closed during the Communist years, it has since been reopened and offers a peaceful respite from the noise of the city.
History
This cave was once home to St. Istvan, a hermit monk who cured sick people with thermal waters that sprung in front of the cave.
The Cave Church was founded here by expanding the hermit's cave in 1926. The church was further expanded in the 1930s by the Archbishop of Kalocsa to hold more worshippers, using the grotto at Lourdes as a model.
In 1951, the Communist secret police arrested the entire order of Pauline monks (the superior Ferenc Vezer was condemned to death, the others got 5- to 10-year prison sentences).
The chapel was then blocked up with a 2.25m thick concrete wall, and it stood silent for nearly 40 years. After the fall of Communism in 1989, the Cave Church was returned to the Paulite order and immediately reopened.
What to See
The Cave Chapel's small interior with natural rock walls and various niches is uniquely atmospheric and peaceful. The acoustics of the cave make for a memorable experience when music is played during a service. There are fine views of Liberty Bridge and across the river to Pest from outside the chapel, where a statue of St. Istvan stands.
Location Map
Location map and satellite view of the Cave Church. Using the buttons on the left, zoom in for a closer look or zoom out to get your bearings. Click and drag the map to move around. You can explore all of Budapest from space on our Budapest Map.
Quick Facts
| Names: | Cave Church; Cave Chapel; Church of St. Istvan |
| Type of site: | Catholic chapel |
| Dates: | 1926 |
| Size: | Quite small! |
| Location: | Above St. Gellert Square, in Gellert Hill, Buda, Budapest, Hungary |
| Bus: | 7, 7A, 86, Teteny-busz |
| Tram: | 18, 19, 41, 47, 49, 118 to Szent Gellert ter stop |
| Hours: | 9am-8pm except during services |
| Cost: | Free |
Sources
- Budapest - The Cave Church - David Pride
- Cave Chapel Reviews - Virtual Tourist
