St. Stephen's Basilica (Szent Istvan Bazilika), Budapest

Buda has the Matthew Church. Pest has the St. Stephen's Basilica. The basilica has a little quad in front, with some nice café's surrounding it. Lovely to sit in the sun with a little refreshment.
Up until now, Budapest doesn't have skyscrapers or other high buildings, so it isn't difficult to recognise the basilica's two towers and dome.
Since it's quite close to the shopping centre, you can easily visit the church while you're strolling through the streets (or the other way around of course).

Situated in the heart of the city, Szent Istvan Bazilika (or just Bazilika) is a fully renovated, spectacular cathedral. The name-giver, Saint Stephen was the first Hungarian king (around 1000 AD) who founded the Hungarian state and made Christianity general in the country.
The cupola is 96 m high, just as that of the Parliament, and offers a great view of the city.
A must-see is the so-called Holy Right, the right arm of King Stephen.
The right tower houses the country's biggest bell of 9 tonnes.
Opening hours: Mon-Sat: 0900-1700, Sun: 1300-1700

In 1810 charity offers began to be collected in purpose of building the Basilica, although the building up was started only on the 14th of Aug, 1851 according the plans of Jozsef Hild. He led the constructions till his dead (1867). Then Miklos Ybl (architect of the Opera House) took over his job, till his dead. The finishing touches were made in 1905 by Jozsef Kauser.

On the 22nd of Jan, 1868 the cupola collapsed because of the quality of the building materials that were received as a gift. Construction paused for a year because of reconstruction.

The first thought that came to my mind when I saw this basilica was: what an amazing dome! what an imposing building! I should have added: what a misfortunate one, too...

As soon as the groundwork began, the War of Independence broke out: construction stopped. Shortly after the construction resumed, the architects died suddenly: construction stopped. And when it resumed again... well, this time the dome collapsed! Eventually it was finished and consecrated in 1905.

One juicy piece of curiosity: the building that you see is only half of the building. Because of the vicinity with the Danube, huge foundations and three underground levels were laid under the church.

This is the biggest church of Budapest, giving place to 8.500 people! The construction of this church begun in 1851, when Pest still was a little town. Therefore there was plenty of space to build a big church like this. After two changes of architect and a collapse of the maindome in 1867, the construction was finally completed in 1905.

The outside of this church may look a little bit pompous and swollen up, but don´t forget to take a look inside.

The interior of this church really is overwhelming. Really every detail inside is covered with gold, so that everywhere you look is seemes like there are little lights coming out of the walls.

And then there is the cellar of the church where the hand of holy Saint Stephen is kept. Go to the leftside of the church, and then all the way to the back. There you can go in. But be very quiet inside, so you don´t disturb the dead.

I'm a huge fan of architecture and history...and European churches seem to wreak of both. Every Catholic church has some relic from its patron saint inside its walls. Often the relic is placed permanently into the alter.

This church in particular greatly interested me because the relic had its own sanctuary and was VERY accessible to the public. The relic for St. Stephen's Basilica is the hand of St. Stephen. I was greatly shocked to see that not only are you allowed to photograph the relic...but it was encouraged by the usher!!

Opportunities like this are rare if not impossible to find in the United States and anyone should take full advantage of them during their trip to Budapest, or all of Europe for that matter.

See my Budapest Travelogues for more pictures and information about St. Stephen's Basilica.

The reconstruction of the St Stephens Basilica was finished recently and the square in front of the Basilica also got a new "design" with a very nice pattern. Worth to wlak around a bit and see the details before enterint the Basilica itself!

St. Stephen's right hand (Szent Istvan in Hungarian) is the most important relic in Hungary. Szent Istvan was the first king of Hungary to accept the Christianity.
The relic is preserved in a fine decorated box which is situated in a chapel, left to the main altar.