Officially named as the Church of Our Lady, Matthias Church has been popularly named after the greatest Hungarian king, Matthias Corvinus, “Matthias the Just”, known in Hungarian as Mátyás király, who ordered the construction of its original southern tower. In many respects, the 700 year history of the church serves as a symbol (or perhaps a reminder for Hungarians) of the city’s rich, yet often tragic history. Not only was the church the scene of several coronations, including that of Charles IV in 1916 (the last Habsburg king), it was also the site for King Mátyás’ two weddings (the first to Catherine of Podiebrad and, after her death, to Beatrice of Aragon).

– Justin