St Stephen's Basilica
A Holy Relic and Splendid View

Location: Szt. István tér, V. district

Open: 9.00-17. every day, in winter: 10.00-16.00

Guided Tours to the Basilica
History
Architecture
Inside the Basilica
Nearby Attractions
Restaurants in the Neighbourhood

Visiting St Stephen's Basilica

Guided Tours in English:

• Monday-Friday: 9.30, 11.00, 14.00, 15.30

• Saturday: 9.30, 11.00

The guided tour includes:

• Chapel and the floodlit Holy Right of St Stephen

• Treasury

• Panorama view from the cupola (only between 1st April-31st October)

Tickets:

• 1600 HUF/roughly 6 € for an adult (without going up the cupola: 1100 HUF/roughly 4€)

• 800 HUF/roughly 3 € for pensioners and students (without going up the cupola: 400 HUF/1,5 €)

Organ Concerts

Back to top.

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.

Back to top.

St Stephen's Basilica in Numbers

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

• Length of the chancel: 86 m,

• Width: 55 m,

• Height of the Towers: 86 m

• Total height of the building: 96 m exactly the same as Budapest Parliament.

The largest bell of the country tolls in the right tower. It weighs 9 tons.

Back to top.

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-Zsiinszky út.

Ionic coloumns and statues of the twelve apostoles adorne the outside walls.

Back to top.

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.

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

Main Altar: statue of St Stephen carved out from Carrara marble by Alajos Stróbl, Gabriel archangel holds the Holy Crown above the head of the king

The 96 m high Dome stands out from the mass of office buildings and apartments in Pest. Four pillars hold the massive structure. A frescoe of God the Father dominates the center of the cupola.

The Patrona Hungariae Altar by Gyula Benczúr depicts St Stephen offering the Hungarian Crown to the Virgin Mary and asking her to be a patron of Hungary

The Holy Right of St Stephen: You can see the most precious treasure of Hungary, the mummified right fist of King Stephen in a small chaple to the left of the Main Altar. The relic is kept in an ornate glass cabinet. Insert a 100 Ft coin and the cabinet lights up.
On 20th August the Holy Right is carried around the Basilica in a procession.

 

Beautiful stained glass window inside St Stephen's Basilica

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.

Back to top.

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. Yu can have a nice meal or coffee in one of the numerous fine cafes and restaurants.

• Első Pesti Borház - wine museum and shop

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.

Address: Bajcsy-Zsilinszky út 18., V. district
Tel: +36 1 301 0699

See more places for Wine tasting in Budapest.

Andrássy Avenue is just a short walk with the Opera House and other examples of great architecture.

Vörösmarty Square is within walking distance too.

Back to top.

Where to Eat Near St Stephen's Basilica

You'll find some great places to have a good meal and drink near the Basilica.

Negro Café

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

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

Café Kör

One of Budapest's best restaurants with a cozy 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.

Address: Sas utca 17., V. district
Tel: +36 1 311 0053

Mokka Café and Restaurant

Address: Sas utca 6. v. district

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

See also our page about Best Restaurants in Budapest or our recommendation of Hungarian Resturants in Budapest.

Back to top.