St. Michael's Church

"The Dominicans established a monastery and church in Pest around 1230, but following the devastation of the Tatar invasion, the church was relocated to a new site. This historical landmark played a pivotal role in 1308 when the parliament convened on its grounds to elect Róbert Károly as king. However, the church suffered destruction under Turkish rule after 1541. Following the expulsion of the Turks, the current Baroque-style church was constructed between 1700 and 1765. Over the centuries, the building has undergone numerous changes in both use and structure. When the Dominican order was dissolved by King József II of Hungary, the Paulites temporarily took over the church in 1785. By 1787, it was handed over to the teaching order of the English Ladies. During this period, the church also became the custodian of the relic of St. Job, returned to Hungary from Salzburg in 1945, until the English Ladies' order was dissolved in 1950. The church has faced significant natural and structural challenges. Floods in 1799, 1809, and the catastrophic deluge of 1838 left their mark, with water reaching two meters high inside. Fires also caused substantial damage, destroying the roof and twin towers in 1809. Despite these setbacks, restoration efforts persisted. The interior was renovated in 1892, the exterior in the 1960s, and a clock mechanism was added during this time. Comprehensive external renovations were completed in the late 1990s, followed by gradual restoration of the sanctuary and sacristy between 1998 and 2008. Ceiling murals by József Aman have been undergoing meticulous restoration since 2012."