Budapest Régiségei 35/2. (2002)

TANULMÁNYOK - Szebeni Andrea - Végh András: A budavári volt helyőrségi templom 427-457

A BUDAVÁRI VOLT HELYŐRSÉGI TEMPLOM THE FORMER GARRISON CHURCH OF BUDA CASTLE Few members of the generation born after the Second World War are aware of the role the former Garrison church - which stood next to the Magdalen (Magdolna) tower - played in the religious life in Budapest before the citys 1944-1945 siege. Equally few know about the churchs history and its artistic values. For those of the trade, the churchs medieval history and the architectural history of the gothic church are well known; as these areas have been discussed and clarified in numerous exhaustive studies and comprehensive works. On the other hand, the churchs history after 1686 leaves even most of the experts relying on hazy data. Some information is available of the Franciscan period, the decree of Joseph (József) II ordering the monasterys shutdown, the coronation of Francis (Ferenc) I and the name "Garrison church". However, if one seeks data a little more precise or - for example - wishes to know more about the demolished Baroque church, there are no detailed studies and the comprehensive works - or the popular works using their data - either say nothing or provide little and contradictory information about the subject. It seems like the church was not only demolished physically. Not only was it gradually forgotten by the public as those who remembered kept passing away, but its memory was also neglected by the historian and art historian professions. This was shown by the lack of pertaining publications. This is especially unfortunate, when taken into account, that neither the demolished building nor the churchs history can be deemed devoid of interest or unimportant. The tight grasp of the political atmosphere most probably played a role in the churchs memory sinking into oblivion, while the destruction of the church building ceased the impetus a researcher would feel when facing a monument still standing. Our initial aim in starting our study was also to write a history of the medieval Mary Magdalen (Mária Magdolna) church; it was during this time when we came across the much neglected subject of the churchs post 1686 history. In our study we follow in detail the 750 year old churchs history and the changes in its building. First we examine the circumstances of the founding and the first small church that was built during the middle of the 13

th century. Subsequently, we take a look at the emergence of the independent Hungarian city parish and - parallel with this - the large-scale late Gothic developments in the church building. We then recount the history of the church during the Turkish occupation of Hungary, when for a long time it was the only Christian church in the area. We also deal with the devastations of the siege, which eventually resulted in the citys recapture. In the first half of the 18

th century the Franciscan order got hold of the ruined building. In its place the order proceeded to build its own church and monastery, which were among the significant religious buildings of contemporary Buda. In 1787 Joseph II dissolved the order. The church and the monastery were emptied and subsequently used as government offices. Nevertheless, in 1792 the church was re-dedicated so that its walls could house the coronation ceremony of king Francis I. The re-dedicated but unused building was finally given to the army in 1817 to be used by the garrison and later - after World War I - the chaplaincy. The building was seriously damaged during the siege of 1944-1945. Due to political considerations the building was demolished despite the fact that renovation works were already ongoing. Only the churchs Gothic tower was kept and rebuilt. To this day the tower is a torso-like reminder of the former churchs building and stirring history. 447