Holy Trinity Column
Holy Trinity Column
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Neighborhood: District I / Buda
The historical center to a city with a multifarious and intricate past, Buda has some of the most outstanding buildings in Europe and an enviable natural landscape with stunning views onto the Danube. Centered around the Royal Palace, it provides a glimpse into the golden years of the Austro-Hungarian empire and the lives led by the aristocracy at the time. Matthias Church, beside the palace, hosted many events attended by the royal family and was the chosen place for the coronation of Franz Josef, one of the Hungarian Habsburg kings. Having admired the palace and the church, a visit to Buda will be unforgettable by the stunning and memorable panorama over Pest offered by the seven towered Fishermen’s Bastion.
How to get there
- Batthyány tér • 9 min walk
- Déli pályaudvar • 9 min walk
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
255 reviews
Excellent
74
Very good
119
Average
60
Poor
2
Terrible
0
Israel R
Ra'anana, Israel16,761 contributions
Dec 2019
This amazing work of art was originally created in the Baroque style in the years 1710-1713 and was restored in 1967 to reflect the amazing look we see today.
The pillar is decorated with lovely reliefs and statues.
At the top of the column there is a spectacular sculpture of the Holy Trinity.
In my opinion a wounderfull piece of art, dont miss it when you visit the old city.
The pillar is decorated with lovely reliefs and statues.
At the top of the column there is a spectacular sculpture of the Holy Trinity.
In my opinion a wounderfull piece of art, dont miss it when you visit the old city.
Written February 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ShaunH290
London, UK2,912 contributions
Sep 2023 • Family
Most plague columns are much simpler than this one. The depictions of six saints, three bas-reliefs, and three coats of arms around the hexagonal column, along with images of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit at the top, make it a very complex example.
Dated to 1713, this is an impressive survivor.
Dated to 1713, this is an impressive survivor.
Written August 24, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
InnaYYZ
Toronto, Canada1,496 contributions
Jul 2019 • Solo
The current column was erected in 1713. It has a hexagonal shape, with many decorative reliefs. Decorations include angels, saints, coats-of-arm, King David, the Holy Trinity, and many others.
Written August 28, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RandyRoss
Ridgetown, Canada12,714 contributions
Dec 2022
The Holy Trinity Column is a baroque column erected in memory of the victims of the plague and located in the square in front of the Matthias Church. In 1691 an outbreak of plague broke out in Buda. The first monument was erected in 1706 in memory of the victims. After the plague of 1706, an even larger statue was erected in 1713. This 15 meter high statue can still be seen in the square today.
It's worth a look and hard to miss for anyone visiting Fisherman's Bastion or Matthias Church.
It's worth a look and hard to miss for anyone visiting Fisherman's Bastion or Matthias Church.
Written February 13, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rabih SOUAID
Düsseldorf, Germany2,217 contributions
Dec 2018 • Solo
Located near Matthias Church, Holy Trinity Column is a beautiful Baroque 15m tall limestone column made to protect the city against the plague.
The carving on the top of the column represents the Holy Trinity.
Three sides, alternate sides, of the hexagonal obelisk are particularly decorated with the statues of Saint Roch showing his wounds, Saint John holding a cross, Saint Christopher holding the child Christ on his shoulders, Saint Augustin with a burning heart, Saint Joseph holding a lily, and Saint Sebastian with arrows in his body. On the three outstanding rims over the six statues are the Virgin Mary, John the Baptist, and Saint Francis of Xaver.
There are three reliefs under the cornice:
1-The upper one represents the Holy Trinity group of statues: the Father with the scepter, the Son holding a cross and over them the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove. Many angels' heads decorate this upper part.
2-The central sculpture exhibits a biblical scene, showing King David praying to God to let his people avoid the outbreak of a plague.
3-The lower part shows the horrors of the epidemic in Buda Castle
The Black Plague caused the death of 30-60% of Europe’s total population in 1691 and 1709. People believed that erecting a column would keep away the plague.
The first column was ready by 1706, three years later the plague returned to Budapest, and therefore a new, larger plague pillar was planned in order to keep the plague away at any costs. Residents believed the Holy Trinity Statue did its job, as the plague never returned after 1709.
The carving on the top of the column represents the Holy Trinity.
Three sides, alternate sides, of the hexagonal obelisk are particularly decorated with the statues of Saint Roch showing his wounds, Saint John holding a cross, Saint Christopher holding the child Christ on his shoulders, Saint Augustin with a burning heart, Saint Joseph holding a lily, and Saint Sebastian with arrows in his body. On the three outstanding rims over the six statues are the Virgin Mary, John the Baptist, and Saint Francis of Xaver.
There are three reliefs under the cornice:
1-The upper one represents the Holy Trinity group of statues: the Father with the scepter, the Son holding a cross and over them the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove. Many angels' heads decorate this upper part.
2-The central sculpture exhibits a biblical scene, showing King David praying to God to let his people avoid the outbreak of a plague.
3-The lower part shows the horrors of the epidemic in Buda Castle
The Black Plague caused the death of 30-60% of Europe’s total population in 1691 and 1709. People believed that erecting a column would keep away the plague.
The first column was ready by 1706, three years later the plague returned to Budapest, and therefore a new, larger plague pillar was planned in order to keep the plague away at any costs. Residents believed the Holy Trinity Statue did its job, as the plague never returned after 1709.
Written February 3, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DSC-NOVA
Fairfax, VA2,912 contributions
Jun 2019
Located in the Buda Castle district and adjacent to St Matthais Church, the Trinity Column was originally built in the early 1700s with a two-fold purpose: to protect the city from the Black Plague and honor those who had already succumbed.
This is one busy monument. The statue is approximately 50 feet high, composed of limestone, and ornately decorated with angels, cherubs, saints and topped with carvings representing the Holy Trinity (the Father with the scepter, the Son holding a cross and the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove). Central to the sculpture are reliefs depicting King David praying that his people may avoid the plague, scenes of the plague at Buda Castle, and the building of the memorial. Multiple smaller statues fill the plinths on the pedestal (Saint Roch showing his wounds, Saint John holding a cross, Saint Christopher holding the child Christ on his shoulders, Saint Augustin with a burning heart, Saint Joseph holding a lily, and Saint Sebastian with arrows in his body). Projecting from the column are additional statues: the Virgin Mary, John the Baptist, and Saint Francis of Xaver. Whew!
The column is in a busy square where hundreds gather and the impact of the statue is dulled by the close proximity of St Matthias Church with its ornate spires. As a limestone structure, it is at the mercy of the elements and pollution and up close it is heavily pitted and discolored in spots. It’s nice to see, historically interesting, and full of religious imagery that may appeal to visitors.
This is one busy monument. The statue is approximately 50 feet high, composed of limestone, and ornately decorated with angels, cherubs, saints and topped with carvings representing the Holy Trinity (the Father with the scepter, the Son holding a cross and the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove). Central to the sculpture are reliefs depicting King David praying that his people may avoid the plague, scenes of the plague at Buda Castle, and the building of the memorial. Multiple smaller statues fill the plinths on the pedestal (Saint Roch showing his wounds, Saint John holding a cross, Saint Christopher holding the child Christ on his shoulders, Saint Augustin with a burning heart, Saint Joseph holding a lily, and Saint Sebastian with arrows in his body). Projecting from the column are additional statues: the Virgin Mary, John the Baptist, and Saint Francis of Xaver. Whew!
The column is in a busy square where hundreds gather and the impact of the statue is dulled by the close proximity of St Matthias Church with its ornate spires. As a limestone structure, it is at the mercy of the elements and pollution and up close it is heavily pitted and discolored in spots. It’s nice to see, historically interesting, and full of religious imagery that may appeal to visitors.
Written September 3, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KodoDrummer
Buenos Aires, Argentina70,624 contributions
Jun 2018 • Friends
Holy Trinity Column is a hexagonal obelisk located in Trinity Square (Szentharomsag Ter, in Hungarian), at Castle Hill’s busiest intersection. There is also a bus stop here, where many tourists get off and on buses. The Column is next to Saint Matthias Church (which was founded by Saint Stephan, Fisherman’s Bastion, Hilton Budapest, and street going down the hill goes past restaurants and souvenir shops, and leads to Buda Castle, Buda Gardens, and more.
As the name implies, it is a monument honouring the Holy Trinity and was originally built during the Black Plague of 1691 and 1709 as protection from the plague. It columns top symbolizes The Holy Trinity. I assume that most of the statues on the column depict various saints and angels. One of the saints has arrows in his body, another a burning heart.
Since I spent three nights at the Hilton Budapest on this trip and had stayed at the hotel many times before, I’ve often walked by the column, and have encountered large tour groups which get on and off buses here.
Normally I would rate this as a “Very Good” attraction, but given its religious nature and significance, I’ll rate it as “Excellent.” How can anything build in honour of God be anything but “Excellent.”
As the name implies, it is a monument honouring the Holy Trinity and was originally built during the Black Plague of 1691 and 1709 as protection from the plague. It columns top symbolizes The Holy Trinity. I assume that most of the statues on the column depict various saints and angels. One of the saints has arrows in his body, another a burning heart.
Since I spent three nights at the Hilton Budapest on this trip and had stayed at the hotel many times before, I’ve often walked by the column, and have encountered large tour groups which get on and off buses here.
Normally I would rate this as a “Very Good” attraction, but given its religious nature and significance, I’ll rate it as “Excellent.” How can anything build in honour of God be anything but “Excellent.”
Written June 18, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brad
Hong Kong, China174,502 contributions
Mar 2014 • Couples
In front of St. Matthias Church you can find the Holy Trinity Column (Szentharomsag Szobor). This is a Baroque style monument dedicated the victims of the plagues that occurred during the late 17th and early 18th century.
The column is around 14 meters tall and features numerous saintly figures on the base and top as well as cherub-like figures midway up the statue. It is a nice column but greatly overshadowed by nearby stars - St. Matthias Church and Fisherman's Bastion.
You can see the Holy Trinity column before you go into the St. Matthias Church. You can see it properly in just a few minutes time.
The column is around 14 meters tall and features numerous saintly figures on the base and top as well as cherub-like figures midway up the statue. It is a nice column but greatly overshadowed by nearby stars - St. Matthias Church and Fisherman's Bastion.
You can see the Holy Trinity column before you go into the St. Matthias Church. You can see it properly in just a few minutes time.
Written March 31, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The World is My Oyster
Orlando, FL21,655 contributions
Dec 2016 • Couples
We enjoyed the views of the church and the Column together. The architectural design is beautiful and flawless. This is one of the greatest monuments in Budapest for sure.
Written December 14, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DeanMurphy2020
Orlando, FL7,757 contributions
Jun 2016 • Solo
In front of Matthias Church and Fisherman’s Bastion atop Castle Hill is the most exquisite Plague Column I saw when touring Central Europe for three weeks. Throughout Europe Plague Columns can be found at the town center. They’re usually surrounded by a fountain. Few visitors know that these are actually called Plague Columns. Survivors of several plagues constructed elaborate columns to thank divinity for sparing their lives. Fountains were built around the columns, which caused another problem: Those in the early stage of the Black Death spread the disease to unafflicted town folk, who’d come to fetch water from the fountain. Think if someone had the flu and met in a crowd. Yep! Columns were constructed from the superstitious belief—largely fueled by the Church—that people had survived because of divine intervention. The Plague Column here for centuries makes this a historical site, but few know the history of these stone structures. Gives you something to ponder…
Written July 27, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Getting there by public transport
Written February 19, 2017
We went there by car.
Or else you have to walk uphill or take a lift from the bottom of the castle and make your way towards the Square.
Written February 20, 2017
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