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Clearly a visit to Szent István Bazilika (St Stephen's Basilica) is going to be on most people's sight-seeing list when they visit Budapest and I wouldn't try to disuade anyone from going as it is very pretty. There is rather a lot of reflective surfaces inside and it's actually very dark so your pictures may not come out to well - take lots and some should be ok! What I was a little surprised at when we arrived was the way they collect the entrance fee. I don't object to there being such a fee although I was surprised as a number of guide books had said there wasn't one but here they don't call it an entrance fee - it is a donation. To me the word donation suggests that there is some voluntary element to it but here they have a priest ready to extract the 'donation' from you by whatever means necessary and in fact we saw the priest 'actively removing' the donation from a chinese family in front of us. The required donation is only 250Fts (less than £1 sterling) so it's not much but what a way to get it!
The basilica holds the 'holy relic' that is supposed to be the right hand of St Stephen who was the first Christian king of the Magyars and so seen as founder of the Kingdom of Hungary some 1000 years ago. This is exhibited in the 'Chapel of the Holy Right'. If you want them to switch the lights on breifly so you can see the relic this will be another 200Fts and a priest is again standing by to help you part with this tiresome burden of coinage!
This really is a beautiful church and is worth seeing. The entry fee (or 'donation') is next to nothing and so shouldn't put anyone off. It's just such a shame the catholic church have found such a way of asking for the money (which I don't imagine anyone would object to paying) which leaves you feeling like you've just been mugged!
Written Nov 23, 2011
Address: 1051 Budapest, Hercegprímás u.
Phone: +36 1 317-2859
Website: http://www.basilica.hu
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The exterior is very impressive and very imposing; the interior is nothing short of magnificent.
I could go into detail and start quoting travel guides, but I think it would be better if you just went and marvelled at the beauty and history in person, you won't be disappointed.
This should definitely be added to your itinerary when visiting Budapest.
Updated Apr 4, 2011
Address: 1051 Budapest, Hercegprímás u.
Phone: +36 1 317-2859
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St. Stephen's Basilica (Szent István-bazilika in Hungarian) is a monolithic Roman Catholic church in the center of Pest. It was named after Hungary's first king, and today visitors can enter the Holy Right Chapel to pay their respects to St. Stephen's mummified right hand. The large dome can also be ascended, for about $2.50 US and the labour of climbing 300+ stairs. They say the view is worth it! In addition to tolling bells (such as the Great St. Stephen Bell, weighing in just under 10,000 kilograms!) visitors can attend organ concerts in the basilica. The basilica is open to the public; dress appropriately, turn off your flash and be polite.
Written Apr 1, 2011
Address: 1051 Budapest, Hercegprímás u.
Phone: +36 1 317-2859
Website: http://www.basilica.hu
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Actually it is Budapest's largest church. Construction began in 1848 in neo - Classical style.
The main altar carries the sculpture of St. Stephen and many of frescos shows the life of St. Stephen.
Updated Mar 4, 2011
Address: 1051 Budapest, Hercegprímás u.
Phone: +36 1 317-2859
Website: http://www.basilica.hu
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The architecturally eclectic St. Stephen's Basilica is the largest Roman Catholic church in the country, and took more than five decades to build. The main attraction here is the mummified hand of St. Stephen, the first king of Hungary and founder of the nation; his hand is housed in the reliquary.
Updated Dec 18, 2010
Address: 1051 Budapest, Hercegprímás u.
Phone: +36 1 317-2859
Website: http://www.basilica.hu
Szent István-bazilika is an ecclesiastic basilica in Budapest, Hungary. It is named in honour of Stephen, the first King of Hungary (c. 975–1038), whose mummified fist is housed in the reliquary. Along with the Hungarian Parliament Building, it is the tallest building of Budapest (96 m). It was completed in 1905 after 54 years of construction. Much of this delay can be attributed to the collapse of the dome in 1868 which required complete demolition of the completed works and rebuilding from the ground up.
www.wikipedia.com
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Phone: +36 1 317-2859
Directions: Near Deak Ferenc ter (central metro station (M1 M2 M3), terminal for buses 4 9 15 and trams 47 49;M1 or bus 4 express Bajcsy-Zsilinszky ut station/stop.
Website: http://www.basilica.hu
Updated Nov 18, 2010
Address: 1051 Budapest, Hercegprímás u.
Phone: +36 1 317-2859
Website: http://www.basilica.hu
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It seems the authorities that manage the Basilica offer a range of evening concerts that are a wonderful way of taking in the atmosphere of this ornate Cathedral.
I happened to be passing at 5pm and noticed that a concert was scheduled for later that Monday evening. For HUF2,500 I was able to enjoy a 50 minute concert of an organ recital and the voice of a mezzosoprano. Most of the pieces were popular items including amongst others Albinoni's Adagio, Franck's Panis angelicus, Gounod's Ave Maria and to finish J.S.Bach's Toccato and fugue in d minor. All good stuff and for me, rather moving and emotional pieces.
On the following evening there was to be a different concert, I think of a choir. So it's pot luck as to what type of music you'll hear but to experience it in that setting was really wonderful.
The main photo shows the cathedral from a side road but the other photos show some daytime detail of the building's impressive exterior.
Updated Nov 1, 2010
Address: 1051 Budapest, Hercegprímás u.
Phone: +36 1 317-2859
Website: http://www.basilica.hu
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Set back from the Danube, the Basilica is still an imposing building on the waterfront due to its impressive height and distinctive features. Along with the Parliament it is the tallest building in the city. You can get great views of the city from its dome, or you can simply admire its fine neo-rennaissance lines from many parts of the city.
If you think the basilica is impressive from the outside, just step into the grand domed interior to be totally shellshocked. All the basilicas I've visited in Hungary have been ostentatious displays of wealth and craft, but none of them are a patch on St. Stephen's in Budapest. The soft light falls through the ornate stained glass windows and illuminates acres of fine gold inlay, exquisitely detailed reliefs, and gracious, mathematically perfect curves.
It's designed to dazzle, and it succeeds spectacularly. And you can see it all for free.
Updated Oct 3, 2010
Address: 1051 Budapest, Hercegprímás u.
Phone: +36 1 317-2859
Website: http://www.basilica.hu
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Entrance to the walkway of the Basilica's cupola is separate to the main door, and so it gets a separate tip. Although it's just an excuse to post five more pictures. The views from the top of the Basilica are outstanding, among the best in Budapest, and so it's more than worthy.
Getting up to the cupola is not obvious, and easily overlooked if you aren't aware of it. When you approach the main door, walk to the right and find a smaller door. This has a kiosk where you can buy entrance tickets for a couple of euros. Then you must walk to the top.
This is a tough hike, but there is a lift hidden away that can take you part of the way. If I remember correctly it's up a few stairs to your right as you enter an open area about half way up. There was another boarded up lift when I was there which might be operational when you visit.
Written Jul 24, 2010
Address: 1051 Budapest, Hercegprímás u.
Phone: +36 1 317-2859
Website: http://www.basilica.hu
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This church is decidcated to the first christian King of Hungary, Isztvan (about the year 1000). St. Stephen's is a basilica minor, built 1851-1905 in neo-classicistic style (long time due to static problems, the dome collapsed in 1868 and was rebuilt in neo-Renaissance style).
The interior of the church is decorated with mosaics, frescos, the material is marble, stucco plaster etc. - the result is that the church appears quite dark. In a chapel behind the chorus (entrance left side) the mummified lower arm of King Stephen is on display. Quite bizarre IMO.
The ascent to the dome was unfortunately closed when I was there (open April - Oct) but I think you'd have a very good view over the city from there. Fee must be about HUF 500 I think.
Written Apr 3, 2010
Address: 1051 Budapest, Hercegprímás u.
Phone: +36 1 317-2859
Website: http://www.basilica.hu
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1051 Budapest, Hercegprímás u.
St. Stephen's Basilica (Szent Istvan Bazilika) tips and photos posted by real travelers and Budapest locals.
Write a ReviewThis church is decidcated to the first christian King of Hungary, Isztvan (about the year 1000). St. Stephen's is a basilica minor, built 1851-1905 in...
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