This set of candlesticks give further examples. They are sometimes called ‘Ruthenian candlesticks’. The term Ruthenian is a Slavic reference – these days referring to the regions of Belarus and the Ukraine. PLAN
The chasuble is the outermost liturgical vestment worn by clergy for the celebration of the Eucharist in Western-tradition Christian Churches that use full vestments, primarily in the Roman Catholic, Anglican and Lutheran churches. There are several chasubles on display here.
This historic picture of the high altar by Jenõ Lechner shows the decoration of the Coronation Church for the coronation of His Majesty King Charles IV on 30 December 1916.
This is obviously a scene from Hungary’s checkered and often violent past.
This sculpture by György Zala (1858 – 1937) is of Elizabeth, Queen of Hungary and Empress of Austria (1837 – 1898). Elizabeth was a greatly venerated Catholic saint who was an early member of the Third Order of St. Francis, by which she is honoured as its patroness.
This is a candlestick for the altar of the Holy Cross Chapel. It was designed by Frigyes Schulek, and made in the Zsolnay factory, Pécs in 1895. Schulek encouraged the use of ceramic candlesticks because they harmonized better with the architecture of stone altars.
These two dramatic crucifixes are from left: • Crucifix of the St Ladislaus altar, designed by Frigyes Schulek and made in the late 19th century by Georg Beck of Salzburg. • Crucifix of the St Emeric altar.
This pair of candlesticks almost certainly comes from one of the chapels.
These candlesticks for the St Stephen altar were designed by Frigyes Schulek and made by Sándor Bodicsi in the late 19th century.
The chasuble at left dates from the first quarter of the 20th century. At centre is a stole and below a matching burse for storing it. At right is an 1881 chasuble bearing the arms of the Lorkiewicz, Harrach and Hohenlohe families.
This is an Austrian chasuble from the second half of the 18th century, with some later additions.
This chasuble is from the first half of the 20th century. It carries the arms of the Archdukes of Habsburg-Lorraine and the Princes of Saxony.
This decorated mitre bears the image of the Virgin Mary with two kneeling angels at her feet, and various lilies. The text ‘Cor meum vigilat’ translates to ‘My watching heart’.
This chasuble bears the arms of the Princes Esterházy and the Counts Cziráky. It is late 19th century. There is wonderful handiwork in these old vestments.
As we leave the treasury, we pass a window looking into the interior of the roof.
Our tour continues with a glimpse of some old external decoration – an old weather cock. We now descend a staircase down inside the Béla tower. This completes our tour of the Matthias Church.
How do you describe Matthias Church? Amazing? Incredible? Unbelievable? Trying to capture it with a camera is just as hard!
I am happy to receive constructive comments or corrections concerning this website. The best websites are the ones which have no errors! I am grateful to my wife Margie who came to Budapest with me, and who has proof-read these pages.
As usual with these sites, the text is mostly not original, and I gladly acknowledge my debt to the Church booklet ‘The Matthias Church’. Two of the photographs also come from this booklet, and are acknowledged where they appear.
My photographs which appear on this site can also be found in higher resolution at:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/paulscottinfo/albums/
Site created 11 / 2015 ; reformatted 01 / 2021
Paul Scott