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One of Buda Castle’s oldest buildings, the Mary Magdalene Tower, closes for the public to reopen later
The Mary Magdalene Tower is a historic landmark located in the Buda Castle District of Budapest. It is the surviving remnant of the Church of Mary Magdalene, which was originally built in 1247 following Hungary’s Tatar invasion of 1241-1242. In the last few years, the tower’s previous operator did not pay the rent and accumulated a debt of more than 21 million forints. Therefore, the municipal council terminated its contract and will begin to operate the sight through one of its companies. As a result, the tower will be closed to visitors for at least six months.
Mary Magdalene Tower: the oldest church tower in the Buda Castle
The Mary Magdalene Tower is one of the oldest buildings in the Buda Castle, erected after the Tatar invasion of Hungary by the orders of King Béla IV, the second founder of the Hungarian Kingdom, who rebuilt the devastated country after the attack. The first sanctuary was built here by the Hungarian minority of Buda (a German-majority town in the Medieval Ages), which was expanded in the 15th century into a three-aisle church. Here is its remnants:
The late Gothic church was the only Christian temple functional after the Ottoman occupation of Buda (1541-1683), serving both Roman Catholics and Protestants during those days. However, later, it was converted into a Muslim place of worship. In the Habsburg era (1683-1918), it also served once as the coronation place of Francis I (1792-1835). From 1817, it served as the worship place of the garrison of Buda. The church was severely damaged during the Soviet siege of Budapest in WWII (December 1944-February 1945), and the Communist authorities decided to demolish it instead of rebuilding it. The only part they served was the church tower, which they believed would become a tourist attraction. Concerning that part, they were right. However, the tower only opened for tourists in 2017.
According to Budatower, the higher level of the tower “offers an extraordinary panorama with views to the most important buildings of Budapest and the nearby Buda hilltops.” Furthermore, “the side chapel awaits visitors with temporary art exhibitions every month.”
The tower will close and then reopen later
Since the tower’s operator did not pay the rent for years, it accumulated an astonishing amount, more than 21 million HUF as debt. Therefore, the municipal council of the 1st district, the tower’s owner, took back its concession and decided in its February session to operate the historic place through one of its companies.
The Fidesz-mayor of the 1st district (Budavár), László Böröcz, wrote in a Facebook post that they were working on developing the new tourist and cultural concept of the Mary Magdalene Tower. The municipal council gave 6 months to fulfil that task, during which the building will be closed to visitors. After they finish the concept, the tower will reopen the – hopefully functionally revitalized – building. Mr Böröcz said they aimed to expand the tower’s cultural offer to attract more visitors.
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