One of Budapest's grandest churches, St Stephen's Basilica brings together nineteenth-century architecture and the story of Hungary's first king.
Building a monumental city church
Construction extended across several generations and changes in architectural leadership. The building was completed and dedicated in 1905, becoming an unmistakable landmark of central Pest.
Its dome and richly decorated interior helped establish it as one of the city's major ceremonial spaces. Repairs and restoration have followed damage during the twentieth century.
A national and religious symbol
The basilica is dedicated to Stephen I, the first king of Hungary. It houses the Holy Right, a relic traditionally identified as the king's preserved right hand, which remains important to Hungarian Catholic devotion.
STORIES & LOCAL TRADITIONS
Stories people tell.
RELIGIOUS TRADITION
The Holy Right: a centuries-old religious tradition
The basilica tells the remarkable story of the Holy Right: according to Catholic tradition, the relic survived successive relocations and periods of concealment before being returned to public veneration.
This is a religious tradition associated with a preserved relic; claims of miraculous qualities belong to the tradition, not to verified scientific findings.
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CATEGORY
Landmarks
LOCATION
Budapest, Szent István tér 1, 1051
Plan your visit
Make this a stop on a wider neighbourhood walk. Check individual interior visits or paid areas separately before making fixed plans.
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