Findings of the examinations aiming at the renovation of the buda castle main church

The condition of the Matthias Church building has been rapidly deteriorating over the past year and half. The scope of ongoing diagnostic examinations initiated by the Parish in 1999 had to be extended in the meantime on several occasions, and as a result it became evident that one of the most important religious monuments of the country, its number one tourist attraction desperately needs comprehensive reconstruction. This renovation, however, must go beyond the faithful restoration of a previous status, as the building requires serious modernisation (lighting, electricity, fire protection. etc.).
In addition to the modernisation, the owner, the Buda Castle City Parish is planning additions to the building. They are planning to use the underground area of the surrounding square to provide for functions not strictly related to church services, such as intensified tourist activity, music events, museum exhibits, as the present church area is unable to cope with these. The underground section of the addition would be an integral part of the church and the surrounding underground area (stairways of the Fisherman's Bastille, the Chapel of St Michael, the castle tunnel system), showing the remains of previous construction works and possible archaeological finds. This highlighted tourist and cultural site could thus preserve its original shape, and at the same time would be able to accommodate the often contradictory needs of spiritual life, music life, museum exhibits and tourism.
Diagnostic examinations of the building and design activity was initially undertaken by János Sedlmayr, and later continued by István Szövényi. Findings of the examination, finished in 2001, contains the opinions of 15 experts and professional companies, as well as the full church reconstruction and extension concept.