The Gellért Hill Cave Church, located on the scenic Gellért Hill in Budapest, was completed in the spring of 1931. Designed by Kálmán Lux and constructed by Károly Weichinger, this remarkable church is a masterpiece of architecture. In 1934, a neo-Romanesque monastery was added on the Danube-facing side of Gellért Hill. The Cave Church was built for the Pauline Order, Hungary’s only male monastic order.
The church consists of two parts:
- An ancient upper cave.
- A man-made cave within the hill’s core, where the temperature remains constant at 21 °C throughout the year.
The church is also known by various names, including Cave Chapel, Lourdes Chapel, Saint Ivan’s Cave, and Rock Chapel.
Historical Significance
In 1950, during the communist era, the Hungarian government disbanded monastic orders. On Easter Monday the following year, the State Protection Authority raided the church, arresting members of the Pauline Order. Some were executed, while others faced imprisonment on fabricated charges. The Cave Church was subsequently destroyed, and its entrance was sealed with a 1.5-2-metre-thick concrete wall in the 1960s.
Today, visitors can see the wooden cross above the entrance, first erected in 1936 and later restored.
Highlights
- The church holds one of the most precious relics of the Pauline Order: the shinbone of Saint Paul the Hermit.
- The altar was crafted at the Zsolnay Porcelain Factory in Pécs.
Visiting Information
The Cave Church is open to visitors during its opening hours, except during Mass.
Address:
1118 Budapest, Szent Gellért Square (Hungary)
Contact:
Phone: +36 20 775 2472
Email: info@sziklatemplom.hu
Visitor Reviews
9.8 Excellent
Based on 12 reviews
100% would recommend to friends
1-hour programme, according to visitors
Worth visiting year-round
10
“Intimate Christmas Mass.”
- Older couple (11 months ago)
10
“Wonderful, always touches me deeply.”
- Older couple (2 years ago)
10
“Beautiful surroundings, historical and spiritual atmosphere. The staff are incredibly kind and helpful. An unforgettable experience.”
- Kornélia Kovács, group of friends (2 years ago)
Opening Hours
Monday – Friday: 09:30–19:30
Saturday – Sunday: Closed
Hours are subject to change.
Location Features
General
- ATM nearby: 100 m
- Languages spoken: Hungarian
- Accessible for people with reduced mobility
Parking
- Free parking nearby
- Type: Public area
Accessibility
- Distance from train station: 3.6 km
- Distance from bus stop and tram stop: 300 m
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