Did you know the Erdei Szent Flórián-kápolna was once almost swallowed by the rising streets of Budapest? This unassuming chapel stands before you a testament to ingenuity and faith. Built in 1753 it was originally dedicated to Saint Florian patron saint against fire. The original chapel was modest. Its construction was financed by Christ Antal a master builder from Bavaria. He left his estate to the Erdei Szent Flórián-kápolna in his will. Unfortunately the original structure’s exact appearance remains a mystery. No detailed documents survived.
A second chapel replaced the first around 1760. Kőgl Ádám a local priest spearheaded this project. Nepauer Máté a skilled architect designed it. This beautiful structure boasts an exquisite altar painting by Franz Xaver Wagenschön completed in 1769. The original baroque features of the main and right side chapels remain. These are complemented by the gilded relief on the pulpit sculpted by Antal Eberhardt.
The Erdei Szent Flórián-kápolna faced many challenges. The rise in the level of the Fő Street after the Danube’s regulation submerged its lower entrance. Water damage became a serious issue. The interior was raised to address this. This however altered the chapel’s proportions. Even the doorway to an adjacent house was nearly blocked by the raised ground.
A truly unique solution was devised in 1936. The chapel underwent an incredible feat of engineering. It was lifted one meter and forty centimeters. The project was overseen by engineers Fridrich Lajos Borsos László and Balogh György. They used 92 hydraulic jacks. The work took eleven days. The jacks were repositioned after each 15 centimeter lift.
After the lifting the Erdei Szent Flórián-kápolna was restored. Borsos László oversaw external work. Wälder Gyula tackled the interior. He added stunning Neo-Baroque stucco to the vaults. Medveczky Jenő painted the murals. The murals included portraits of those involved in the raising of the chapel. Brestyánszky Tibor later completed the design of the interior including the new seating.
World War II caused only minor damage. The statue of St. Blaise on the facade required repair. Later additions included a sacristy expansion in 1986-87 for a religious education room. The roof was also renewed. The chapel’s interior painting and murals suffered wear and tear. They were restored in 1993. Kelheim stone paved the nave in 1995.
The Erdei Szent Flórián-kápolna stands before you not just as a place of worship. It is a symbol of resilience. It’s a testament to the enduring faith of the community. It’s also a remarkable example of innovative engineering. The chapel continues to evolve. It remains a vibrant part of Budapest’s rich history.