Visitor rules

The Church of Our Lady of Buda Castle (Matthias Church, hereinafter: the “Church”) is a sacred place. Entry is permitted to visitors and pilgrims by the Trusteeship of Matthias Church (the institution responsible for the operation and maintenance of the Church and for organising religious, cultural, and tourist events) on condition of the acceptance of these Rules for Visitors.

1. Tickets and Visiting Hours

Entry to the Church and the use of the services provided by the Trusteeship require a valid, non-refundable ticket that provides a single entry. Please keep the receipt or invoice of your ticket purchase until you leave the Church. Visitors without valid tickets will be required to leave the Church.

Visitors accept the provisions of the Rules for Visitors by purchasing a ticket and entering the Church. The Trusteeship may refuse services from any Visitors who do not comply with or break the rules, and may have them removed from the Church if considered necessary. In such a case, the Visitor is not entitled to a refund of the ticket price.

Please leave the Church by the closing time on the day of your visit.

The Trusteeship publishes the prices of tickets and services on the www.https://matyas-templom.hu/en website and on the information boards located at the Church entrance and the ticket desk.

Many of the Church’s areas and objects serve liturgical purposes only and may only be used by authorised persons. Certain areas are closed to visitors, and visitors may not touch certain objects. Visitors to the Church are required to use designated routes only and may not cross the barriers or access closed areas without authorisation.

Liturgical services are always given priority over tourism, and the Trusteeship reserves the right to modify the times and rules for entry. The Trusteeship will notify Visitors of any changes verbally or by way of a notice placed at the entrance.

 

2. Clothing and conduct

Visitors to the Church are required to wear appropriate clothing. For women: a skirt or pants that extend to the knees or lower, a top that covers the shoulders and cleavage or, if the top does not meet these requirements, a shawl. For men: a short or long-sleeved shirt and pants that extend to the knees or lower. Persons in improper attire will be denied entry. Visitors are not permitted to wear costumes or wedding clothing to the Church.

The consumption and use of intoxicating substances and alcohol, littering, fires, eating, the use of any vehicles or objects that may cause an accident, sharp objects, weapons, pyrotechnic substances, or other devices that may cause alarm, and any conduct that is contrary to public order or the teachings of the Catholic Church are prohibited in the Church.

The Trusteeship’s employees may object to any Visitors in the Church whose attire or conduct endangers the reputation of the Trusteeship or the Catholic Church or is irreconcilable with the teachings of the Catholic Church. Visitors have no right to dispute such an objection. Such Visitors will be denied entry or will be escorted from the Church.

With the exception of guide dogs with the necessary certificates, no animals are permitted in the Church. Visitors with guide dogs in possession of a valid, numbered identification may visit the Church free of charge.

Smoking is prohibited in the Church and within 5 metres of its entrances.

We ask that you throw all waste in the designated receptacles.

In the event of a fire, bomb threat, or other emergency, follow the instructions of the staff on duty in the Church.

We ask Visitors to cooperate with the Trusteeship’s employees and follow their instructions and comply with their requests.

 

3. Liability

The Trusteeship’s services may be used at your own risk, and you bear sole liability for your visit to the Church and especially the Tower. We ask that all Visitors take care of the Church’s furnishings, equipment, and objects, including the Church building itself. The Trusteeship may initiate legal proceedings for damages and may claim compensation for damages from any persons who cause damages through intentional or negligent conduct. The Trusteeship is not responsible for any personal injury or damages resulting from the conduct of Visitors.

Tickets grant authorisation for entry and visiting the Church but do not cover the protection of assets. The Trusteeship is not liable for any objects lost in the Church.

The Trusteeship calls the attention of Visitors to the fact that certain weather conditions may affect visits to the Church, for example the lighting, amplification, and organ will be turned off and the Tower will be closed in strong winds, storms, and if there is a threat of lightning.

Persons with a fever, with an infectious or open wound, or under the influence of drugs, intoxicating substances, or alcohol may not enter or visit the Church even in possession of a valid ticket. The Church does not operate a first aid service. In case of injury, illness, or any health-related complaints, the Trusteeship will provide assistance in seeking professional help.

In justified cases, persons who are legally incapacitated or have limited legal capacity may only use the services with the assistance of an accompanying person.

The leaders of tourist groups are responsible for ensuring that the provisions of the Rules for Visitors are applied and followed. We ask that leaders and guiedes of tourist groups pay special attention to the safety of their group’s health and property.

 

4. Recording images and audio

We ask that Visitors arriving with the express intent of taking photos/shooting films request permission in advance. Photography/filming is only permitted in possession of a request and contract signed by both parties. Please submit requests to: gondonksag@matyas-templom.hu

 

5. Additional rules for visiting the Tower:

Please note that a limited number of visitors are allowed access to the Tower at any one time. As tickets to the Tower permit entry at given times, we ask that you arrive promptly at the time of your ticket. Taking into account the interests of other Visitors, we are unable to provide a new time for visiting the Tower or to refund the price of the ticket to any Visitors who are late.

Visitors may visit the Tower at their own risk. We ask that all Visitors follow the posted written safety instructions and the verbal instructions provided by Trusteeship employees. Visitors who intend to visit the Tower should assess their physical stamina and health, taking into account the fact that 197 steps lead up to the lookout level.

When visiting the Tower, it is prohibited to:

– lean over the railing any endanger personal safety;

– stand on the railing;

– throw or pour anything from the Tower;

– smoke or perform any activities involving fire.

 

6. Complaints

Visitors are free to make comments pertaining to the manner or quality of the service or the conduct of the service provider, both verbally and in writing (gondnoksag@matyas-templom.hu). The Trusteeship’s management will examine the complaint, comment, or recommendation in accordance with the applicable rules and will proceed accordingly. Any complaints that are filed with an address will be answered in writing.

Visitors may also turn to the supervisory body with jurisdiction and competence:

Budapest Főváros Kormányhivatal Fogyasztóvédelmi Főosztály (Metropolitan Government Office of Budapest, Consumer Protection Department) (1117 Budapest, Prielle Kornélia utca 4/b.)

 

7. Data protection

In accordance with the provisions of relevant legislation, the Trusteeship operates an electronic surveillance (camera) system in the whole territory of the Church, also including the Tower, for the purposes of providing personal and property protection. The detailed rules on the use of the surveillance system and the privacy statement are available online (https://matyas-templom.hu/en/policy-of-the-security-electronic-monitoring-camera-system/ ; https://matyas-templom.hu/en/privacy-statement/).