About The Cave Church in Budapest (official name: Szent István-barlangtemplom or Gellért Hill Cave Church)
The Cave Church in Budapest is one of the most unique religious sites in Hungary. The cave was originally a natural thermal cave system. In the 1920’s, Pauline monks from Poland discovered it and turned it into a chapel, modeled after the famous Lourdes grotto in France. It was officially consecrated in 1934.
During the communist era, the entire Pauline order was arrested, the entrance was sealed with a thick concrete wall, and the church was completely hidden for decades. It reopened after the fall of communism in 1989 and was fully restored.
The church is literally built inside the cave – the altar, pews, and side chapels are all within the natural rock. The interior is surprisingly warm and atmospheric, with beautiful neo-Gothic stone carvings. Right in front of the cave entrance is a statue of Saint Stephen (Hungary’s first king).
It is still run by the Pauline Order (the only Pauline monastery in Hungary today). Although often called The Cave Church, it is actually a chapel.
Traveling to the Cave Church in Budapest, Hungary:
The Cave Church is located inside Gellért Hill (Gellért-hegy), on the Buda side of Budapest, very close to the famous Hotel Gellért and the Liberty Bridge. You can reach it by tram 19, 41, 47, 49 at stop “Szent Gellért tér” or “Gellért tér” or Bus 7 (red bus) at the same stop; or, walk across the Liberty Bridge from Pest side and up the small hill. There are stairs and a short uphill walk from the street level. It is not wheelchair-friendly.
There is a small entrance fee of approximately 800–1000 HUF (roughly €2–3), which includes an audioguide (available in English).
Address: District XI, Szent Gellért rakpart (along the Danube embankment).1114 Budapest, Szent Gellért rakpart 1, Hungary.
Phone: +36207752472
E-mail: anett@sziklatemplom.hu
Click here for the official website of the Cave Church in Budapest, Hungary.