Was it faith, hope, or love that inspired the creation of the Szent Anna templom? Here at Batthyány tér, stands the majestic Felsővízivárosi Szent Anna templom. It is a breathtaking baroque church. Many consider the Szent Anna templom to be the best example of Italian Baroque architecture in Budapest.
Let’s step back in time. The parish church was founded in 1390. During the Ottoman Rule in Hungary, it was destroyed in 1540. Archbishop Georg Szechenyi re-established it in 1687. The birth registrar began in 1693.
Construction of the current Szent Anna templom commenced in 1740. Christoph Hamon from Bohemia designed the layout. But, Parson Ignác Pretelli died in late 1740. Completion was left to his successors. After Hamon’s death in 1748, Mathäus Nepauer took command. Johann Michael Hamon completed the nave’s cupola in 1762.
Just two years later, a serious earthquake damaged the Szent Anna templom. Restoration dragged on. Christoph Hickisch renovated the church between 1804 and 1805. Karl Bebó built the main altar and pulpit. Anton Eberhardt built the side altars between 1767 and 1768.
The Szent Anna templom combines central and longitudinal arrangements. Its nave is octagonal and topped by an oval cupola. The facade is separated into two levels. Paired Ionic pilasters articulate it vertically. The design reflects the Danube school style.
Look closely at the gate. It is decorated with Faith, Hope, and Love statues. Franz Endl created the original gate. Leonard Weber carved the statues. The current gate is a copy because the original was destroyed in World War II. Above the gate is a statue of St. Anne with the Virgin Mary. Anton Eberhardt decorated the gable with Buda’s coat of arms. He added angels adoring the Holy Trinity. The towers are capped with Baroque spires.
The main altar resembles the Jerusalem Church. It features St. Anne, Joachim, Mary, Elizabeth, and King David figures. Gregor Vogl painted the Holy Trinity fresco on the sanctuary vault. The side altars are dedicated to the Holy Cross and St. Francis Xavier. Franz Wagenschön created the oil painting sequence. Michael Mayrhold carved the pews. The organ originally belonged to the Carmelite Church in Buda Castle. Ignaz Pflgl created the wrought-iron door of the chapel.
During the 1950s, underground construction threatened the Szent Anna templom. Authorities considered demolishing it. It was restored between 1970 and 1984. The church was finally restored in the 1990s.
The Szent Anna templom stands as a testament to Budapest’s artistic and historical legacy.