St Stephen's Basilica Budapest - History, Photos, Cafes, Restaurants in the Area

Enjoy the excellent acoustics of St Stephen's Basilica. Reserve Your Ticket Online.

Organ Concert in St Stephen's Basilica Enjoy a wonderful concert in St. Stephen’s Basilica, one of the most beautiful neo-classical* buildings of Budapest, and then go for a night cruise with 4-course dinner on the Danube.*
St. Stephen's Basilica	St. Stephen's Basilica is the most important church in Hungary, one of the most significant tourist attractions and the third highest building in our country. The construction started in 1851, according to the plans of Miklós Ybl, and was completed by József Kauser in 1905. In the next 50 years the church suffered from wars, storms and earthquakes. The church was reconstructed 1983-2003. The program of the concert was adapted by Miklos Teleki. Together with Virágh András, they belong to some of the best organ artists in Hungary. The arias of the program are performed by Kolos Kováts, one of the most famous concert and oratorio singers in Hungary. Among numerous prices, in 1992 he received also the highest prize Hungarian artist can acquire: the Kossuth Prize. The flute is played by Eleonóra Krusic who is already known for her performances with different orchestras from Barcelona to Zürich, Graz and Vienna. Program Tommaso Albinoni (1671-1751): Adagio Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750): Prelude and Fugue C Major BWV 545 Antonio Stradella (1639-1682): Pieta Signore Antonio Vivaldi (1655-1736): 4 Seasons – Winter Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791): Ave verum Ferenc Liszt (1811-1886): Fantasy and Fugue on the theme B-A-C-H Georges Bizet (1838-1875): Agnus Dei Franz Schubert (1797-1828): Ave Maria Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 - 1827): The Glory of God Johann Sebastian Bach: Menuett, Badinerie from B minor suite Johann Sebastian Bach: Toccata and Fugue in D minor (BWV 565) The pieces with soloist are performed by Kolos Kováts and with organ. The pieces with flute are performed by Eleonóra Krusic and with organ. Every concert starts at 20:00, and takes about 65 minutes, without intermission. Concert dates in 2012: May: 3. 10. 17. 24. 31. June: 7. 14. 21. 28. July: 5. 12. 19. 26. August: 2. 9. 16. 23. 30. September: 6. 13. 20. 27. October: 4. 11. 18. 25 Price of Organ Concert in St. Stephen's Basilica: 30 Eur/7 800 HUF, 24.25/6 300 HUF, 17.3/4 500 HUF Students: 28 Eur/7300, 22.70 Eur/5 900 HUF, 16.15 Eur/4 200 HUF 1st category with pick-up service: 35.75 Eur/9 300 HUF, students: 33.85 Eur/8 800 HUf Book Your Ticket: in Euro in HUF
Organ Concert + Dinner & Cruise on the Danube
After the concert a cruise with buffet dinner will make the evening even more memorable. In the romantic candlelight atmosphere you can enjoy the wonderful view of Budapest decked out in lights. After dinner you can also admire the panorama from the open upper deck of the ship. Price of Organ Concert in St Stephen's Basilica +Dinner & Cruise: 59.15 Eur/15 300 HUF, 53.15 Eur/13 800 HUF, 46.15 Eur/12 000 HUF Students: 57.15 Eur / 51.55 Eur / 45.15 Eur Reserve your Organ Concert + Dinner & Cruise: Booking in Euro Booking in HUF You can learn more about the Cruise on the Danube here. After the concert a host or hostess will escort you to the pier when the boat departs at 22.00. The cruise lasts approx. 1.5 hours. You can order the program with pick-up service in this case we would kindly ask you to fill the hotel name and telephone number fields on the ordering form, and at the day of the event please be at the reception of the hotel 40 minutes before the start of the program.

TIP: the Church of St Anne on Batthyány square in Buda also hosts organ concerts on regular basis.

History of St Stephen's Basilica

It took more than 5 decades and 3 architects to build Budapest's Basilica. Several misfortunate events delayed the works.

József Hild made the designs in 1845 but because of the 1848/49 Revolution and War of Independence works started only in 1851. After the death of Hild, Miklós Ybl, designer of the Opera House took over overseeing the construction.

In 1868 the dome collapsed, luckily nobody died. Ybl drew up new plans and building started again almost from scratch. He couldn't see his work completed, since he died in 1891.

József Krauser finished St Stephen's Basilica in 1906. According to the rumour, at the consecration mass Emperor Francis Joseph kept looking upwards afraid of another collapse of the dome.

The building suffered heavy damages during the bombings in World War II. Reconstructios have only started in the 1980-ies and were finished just recently.

St Stephen's Basilica in Numbers

Hungary's second largest church can take in 8500 people. It occupies 4147 square metres.

Architecture of St Stephen's Basilica

József Hild designed a large neoclassical basilica similar to the basilica in Esztergom. The ground plan forms a Greek cross. Because of the vicinity of the Danube huge foundations had to be constructed that resulted in an underground cellar almost as large as the subsurface building.

Many art treasures and precious documents survived down there the second world war.

Afterh Hild's death Ybl reworked the plans creating a neo-Renaissance style church. You can recognise Ybl's work at the main facade and the wall along Bajcsy-Zsilinszky út.

Inside St Stephen's Basilica

You can really experience the vastness of St Stephen's basilica from the inside. Walk around and view the works of famous contemporary artists who decorated the interior of the chancel.

They dedicated most of their works to St. Stephen (975-1038), Hungary's first king. He converted the nomad Hungarian tribes into Christianity, thus managed to found a strong state between Western and Eastern European empires of the era.

Alttough it's a bit dark inside you can still admire the marvellous frescoes, statues and mosaics.

Cupola - Magnificent Panorama of Budapest

Between 1st April-31st October you can admire one of Budapest's best panoramic views from the right tower. An elevator takes you up until halfway; from there you have to climb up on stairs.

You'll climb out into the inside of the dome in a wrought iron construction and you'll get to the space between the outside and inside of the dome. Quite an exciting adventure, but the view will compensate you for the trouble.

Major Attractions Near St Stephen's Basilica

You can find numerous attractions in the neighbourhood. The spacious Szt. István Square where the basilica stands is great for a walk. Two fountains stand on the square dedicated to St Stephen and to his wife Gizella.

The square is flanked by benches. You can have a nice meal or coffee in one of the numerous fine cafes and restaurants.

In summer taste the delicious Italian-style ice cream at Gelarto Rosa just a few steps from the Basilica:

Taste and buy the best Hungarian Wines! Take a walk in the cellar and admire 80 varieties of wines in over 30, 000 bottles including antique vintages.

Where to Eat - Restaurants Near St Stephen's Basilica

This elegant place in Sas utca offers specialties of the Hungarian cuisine in modern style. There are four-course menu variations in the price range of 6500-8500 HUF. The wine list includes a wide choice of Hungarian wines from the best wine regions of the country.

A friendly, Mediterranean-style place at the southern side of Szent István Square. There's a daily menu (soup + main dish) for 850 HUF. The menu offers an ample choice of pastas, pizzas and salads.

Első Pesti Rétesház (First Strudel House of Pest)
Address: Október 6. utca 22., district V.
Open: everyday 9.00-23.00 (closed on 24th-25th December)

Besides tasting a variety of strudel pastries (with cottage cheese, fruit, ground poppy seed or cabbage filling, price: 360 HUF) you can have lunch or dine at the Rétesház.

Hungarian cuisine combined with international dishes. Sip one of their excellent cocktails on the terrace in the shade of the Basilica

Address: Szt. István tér 11., district V., right next to the Basilica
Tel: +36 1 302 0136

One of Budapest's best restaurants with a cosy café-like atmosphere. The chef prepares traditional Hungarian dishes using modern cooking techniques to create a bit lighter variation of the notably heavy national cuisine.

An elegant restaurant with African decor. Exotic dishes from all around the world.