Why visit / Interesting facts:
- Imposing neo-Renaissance church
- Sweeping views of Buda and Pest from the cupola
- Final resting place of Ferenc Puskas
Time required: 70 minutes
Phone: +36-1-311-0839
Opening hours:
| Time period | Opening hours |
|---|---|
| Monday - Friday: | 9am - 5pm |
| Saturdays: | 9am - 1pm |
| Sundays: | 1pm - 5pm |
Admission:
| Ticket type | Charge |
|---|---|
| General: | Free |
Public transport:
- Metro Line 3: Arany János utca station
Address: 1051 Budapest, Szent István tér 1.
Photos: (see more photos)
Photo: Mr G's Travels
Things you need to know:
- St.Stephen's Basilica is a neo-Renaissance church in central Budapest. It is the second largest church in Hungary capable of holding 8500 people
- Its constuction began in 1851; after the fist two of its architects died, Jozsef Hild and Miklos Ybl, it was Jozsef Kauser who finished the church in 1905
- In 1868 the dome collapsed and the church had to be rebuilt almost from scratch
- According to legend, afraid of a repeated collapse of the dome Emperor Francis Joseph was looking upwards during the whole consecration ceremony
- The Holy Right of St. Stephen, the mummified right fist of Hungary's first king, is kept here in an ornate glass box in one of the chapels
- The great Hungarian soccer hero Ferenc Puskas, goal machine of the Magical Magyars and Real Madrid, was laid to rest here in 2006
- The basilica houses Hungary's largest bell. It is situated in the right tower and weighs 9 tons
- The Dome is 96 m (315 ft) high, the exact height of Parliament's dome
What to do there:
- Start your visit with the square in front of the church. It became a beautiful pedestrian area with cafés and benches to sit on
- Make sure to admire the building from all sides
- Enter the church and view the works of famous contemporary artists who decorated the interior
- Do not miss the marvelous frescoes, statues and mosaics
- Go to the small chapel left to the Main Altar to see the Holy Right of St Stephen
- For a splendid panoramic view of Budapest take the elevator that takes you up until halfway. From there you have to climb the stairs to the cupola. The admission fee is 500 HUF
Tips & Insights:
- You are expected not to disturb the service and be dressed modestly
- Several musical programs are organized in the church throughout the year. Take a look at the entrance at the program schedule and buy your tickets there
- Please note that the dome is only accessible form March to October weather permitting
