St. Stephen's Basilica in Budapest

The St. Stephen's Basilica in Budapest, dedicated to the first Christian King of Hungary, is the largest church in the Hungarian capital and can accommodate about eight thousand people. It is located in the Pest district.

The construction lasted over half a century, from 1851 to 1905, the year it was consecrated. The drawn-out time for the church's completion is linked to a series of events: first, the fight for independence in 1848-49 interrupted the excavation work, then the deaths of the two architect-designers, and later, the collapse of the dome due to a storm in 1868 which forced a complete rebuild. Moreover, due to its proximity to the Danube, it was necessary to construct a huge three-story basement beneath the church.

The cathedral was designed by Jòzsef Hild in a Neoclassical style who oversaw its construction until 1867, after which the direction of the works passed to Miklos Ybl, who is responsible for the austere appearance that characterizes it, but it was Jòzsef Kauser who completed the works. The façade features two bell towers, one of which houses the largest bell in the country weighing 9 tons. At the center stands the Neoclassical dome, which, at 96 meters tall, can be seen from all points in the city. From the top of the dome, which can be accessed by stairs or elevator, one can enjoy a magnificent 360-degree view of Budapest. (Dome access hours: 10 AM - 4:30 PM in April and May; 9:30 AM - 6 PM from June to August; 10 AM - 5:30 PM in September and October. Admission is charged.)

The church, with a Greek cross floor plan, impresses visitors with its size and the riches it houses. The interior is lined with 55 types of Hungarian marble (particularly striking are the black and white ones), and the central dome is adorned with a beautiful mosaic by Karoly Lotz.

Inside the church, there are important works of art such as the statue of King Saint Stephen created by Alayos Stróbl and the painting by Gyula Benczur "Saint Stephen presents the Country to the Virgin" which is also responsible for the design of the beautiful mosaic of the main altar. The main attraction of the church is the Chapel of the Holy Right (visiting hours with an entrance fee: 9 AM - 4:30 PM from Monday to Saturday, 1 PM - 4:30 PM on Sundays from May to September; 10 AM - 4 PM from Monday to Saturday, 1 PM - 4:30 PM on Sundays from April to October), where the most important relic for Hungarians is preserved, namely the mummified right hand of King Stephen, the founder of the Nation who is credited with spreading Christianity in the country, canonized by Pope Gregory VII in 1083.

Address: Pest District. ** How to get there:** on foot in central Pest. Metro: red line, Kossuth Lajos tér station Tram: line 2 Bus: 15

Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM. Saturday from 9 AM to 1 PM and Sunday from 1 PM to 5 PM. Guided tours run from 10 AM to 3 PM.

Ticket price: free. Guided tours for 1200 HUF.