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St. Stephen’s Basilica is a stunning Neoclassical structure and the largest church in Budapest. It can host close to 8500 people simultaneously and is on every must-see list of sites in Budapest.
The Basilica dominates the skyline of Budapest, rising to 96 meters, which is the same height as the Hungarian Parliament, symbolizing a balance between religion and state. The Basilica was dedicated to king St. Stephen, the founder of the Hungarian state, and within its walls, in an ornate golden reliquary, is safeguarded his mummified 1,000-year-old right-hand fist, known as the “Holy Right”.
The Basilica, built in 1851, saw waves of damage over the years, starting with the siege of Budapest and continuing with a fire, its dome collapse, and a strong storm in 1980. In the end, it took more than 5 decades, 3 architects, and 20 years of renovation to build and restore St. Stephen’s Basilica, including the repair of its unique artifacts, mosaics, paintings, sculptures, and stained glass windows.
St.Stephen’s Basilica is in the very heart of Budapest, within a short walking distance of the Hungarian Parliament, and facing the banks of the Danube River on pest side and the hills of Buda. The lovely and lively square in front of the Basilica is filled with restaurants and cafe shops, and for over a decade now sets the stage for the famous Christmas market in Budapest, a fair held during the Advent season which is very popular with tourists and locals alike, and that during this period the façade of St.Stephen’s Basilica is decorated with amazing light projections every evening.
Budapest Raider is a unique sightseeing experience. The EZRaider tours are accompanied by a professional rider, pass through some of the best must-see sights in both Pest and Buda, and include stops at the top Instagrammable spots in Budapest for taking snap photos.
