From my photos at Flickr Produced by Kayakman Media

Built in the mid-13^th century, the church of St. Mary Magdalene barely survived 600 years, and not all of them as a Christian church. Originally home to Hungarian Christians, as Matthias Church (Mátyás Templom) was reserved for Budapest's German population, St. Mary Magdalene's was converted into a mosque during the second half of the Turkish occupation. During the 1686 battle to liberate Budapest from the Turks, the building suffered heavy damage. The Franciscans restored the building and worship resumed until the bombing of WWII destroyed all but the main tower, a window, and bits of the foundation. Today visitors are allowed to walk through the remains—and it is indeed a source of quiet reflection as it is blocks away from the main attractions on Castle Hill.