St. Stephen's Basilica is the largest Christian church in Budapest, it can hold more than 8000 people. And is one of the tallest buildings in the city at 96 metres. It was the sixth largest church building in Hungary before 1920.
This imposing building – well seen from many parts of the city – is one of the most significant tourist attractions and one of the highest churches in Budapest designed in 1845 by Jozsef Hild.
Works on the building began in 1851 but the architect – Jozsef Hild – died 16 years later, and the next year the dome collapsed. Basilica was rebuilt according to the plans of Miklos Ybl another important Hungarian architect and completed in 1905 by József Kauser. This building and the project was so important even the monarch Franz Joseph came to see how the keystone would be set down.
In fact, the building is not a Basilica, despite the citizens insisting on naming it so since its construction, back in 1851. The building does not have Basilica form and in its place has a Greek cross floor plan.
Over its history the St. Stephen's Basilica has already been rebuilt on several occasions; the first in 1868 after a storm damaged, precisely, the dome. Bombings during the WWII caused significant damage to the walls, towers and roof structure of the church, so these have had to be reconstructed. Complete renovation of the building began in 1983 and finished in 2003.
St. Stephen's Basilica is a great example of Neo-renaissance style and always reminds me of Italian churches, but the twin towers resemble a little bit of St. Paul's Cathedral in London.
The facade is decorated with the statues of the Virgin Mary who is the patron saint of Hungary. Below the tympanon you can see the words of Jesus Christ taken from the Bible: 'Ego sum via et veritas et vita' a Latin phrase meaning 'I am the way and the truth and the life'.
The interior is richly decorated with paintings, mosaics, reliefs and statues, the glass painting works were made by Miksa Róth. Behind the main altar stands the statue of St. Stephen first king, the first saint of Hungary and the patron saint of the Basilica. The mosaics of this church were designed by Hungarian artists. In the treasury, there's an amazing collection of chalices, tabernacles and relics.
The most exciting treasure of the basilica is the Sacred Right – in Hungarian Szent Jobb – the mummified right hand of Saint Stephen (remained in perfect condition) housed in a glass reliquary. This relic is the attraction of a Hungarian national holiday: every year the hand is paraded around the city on August 20. The sanctuary is a frequently visited place by believers, but is also a popular tourist sight of the city.
St. Stephen's Basilica is home to the mortal remains of Hungarian celebrities.
One of the greatest football players of all time, Ferenc Puskás was buried under the dome of the Basilica on 9 December 2006.
The Hungarian soccer legend remained in Real Madrid from 1958 to 1966 and was part of one of the most legendary frontmen of the Merengue team, in company of Di Stéfano, Kopa, Real and Gento.
Puskás was an incredibly productive goal scorer – his statistic of 84 goals in 85 matches had been a world record for a very long time.
Did you know that this church has 6 bells? And the bells have an own name? The six pieces are: Great St. Stephan bell, Blessed Virgin Mary bell – the oldest one –, St. Henry II. bell, Blessed Gizella bell, Saint Emeric bell, Saint Elizabeth bell.
And St. Stephen's Basilica is a magnificent lookout point too. Just climb the 300 stairs or take the elevator to the cupola level to see the breathtaking panorama of Budapest.
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