Where the roses bloom: St Elizabeth of Hungary Parish Church

According to contemporary sources, Saint Elizabeth of Hungary considered helping the poor and unfortunate her most important duty. She also established a hospital, a shelter and an orphanage. Elizabeth is often depicted with a rose in her apron, which is a reference to the legend, and a perfect symbol of her life and work.

It is said that she was once taking sacred bread to the hungry, as she usually did. She was stopped on the way, and asked what she was hiding in her apron. Elizabeth did not want to admit that she was taking bread, afraid that perhaps they would forbid her from completing her mission of mercy. So, she answered that what she had were roses. And when they demanded that she show what was in her bundle, the pieces of bread actually turned into roses. According to the legend, this was God’s way of saving her from having to utter a lie.

The square where the parish church is located today preserves this legend in its very name: in 1931, on the 700th anniversary of Saint Elizabeth’s death, it was renamed ‘Rózsák tere’ (Square of Roses). This was also when the statue was erected on the square, in memory of the saint. 

In 1881, a small eclectic church was built within the district. However, the population of the area grew so rapidly that it soon became clear that the newly erected small building would not suffice, and a larger church would be needed. (The original church building was later donated to the Greek Catholic Church.)

The foundation stone of the new parish church was laid in 1895 by King Franz Joseph I himself, and construction was completed in 1901. The plans were designed by the renowned architect Imre Steindl – whose work can also be admired while strolling along the banks of the Danube, as the House of Parliament was also built according to his plans. A careful inspection of the building will reveal the similarities between the façades of the two buildings.

The church in numbers: 

• its floor area is 1,800 m2
• its internal height is between 15.3 and 16.2 metres
• the diameter of the 76-metre-high towers is 7 metres each
• it has a capacity of 2,560 people 

One thing you will find is that a building of this size has plenty of space inside. The rows of pews, the altars, the baptismal font, the countless sculptures, the throne, the pipe organ, and the confessional are just a few of the meticulously crafted furnishings inside the church. All were commissioned from some of the most renowned and talented Hungarian craftsmen. If you take a closer look at the interior of the church, you can see the quality of their work for yourself. The most important pieces are: 

• Altar of Archangel Gabriel
• Requiem Altar
• Pulpit
• Mayor’s Stall
• Main Altar
• Wedding Altar
• Baptismal Font
• Altar of St Anthony of Padua