church in Budapest

St Stephen's Basilica

Also known as Szent István-bazilika, St Stephens Basilica

Budapest's largest church was built to be exactly 96 meters tall, the same height as the Parliament building across the Danube, to encode a symbolic equality of church and state into the city skyline. The Neo-Classical interior holds Hungary's most sacred relic, the Holy Right Hand of St. Stephen, the 11th-century king who Christianized Hungary.

St. Stephen’s Basilica is Budapest’s largest church and one of the city’s two buildings legally capped at 96 meters, matching the Parliament to symbolize equal church and state importance. The Neo-Classical interior holds the Holy Right Hand of Hungary’s founding king on display in a golden reliquary. The dome observation deck gives a full city panorama. Basilica entry is free; dome access costs EUR 6. The Christmas market on the square in front is one of Budapest’s best in winter. Walkable from central Pest via Deak Ferenc ter metro.

Type
church, basilica
Destination
Budapest
Cost
Free to visit
Founded
1905
Era
Neoclassical
Address
Szent István tér 1, 1051 Budapest
Coordinates
47.5008, 19.0540
Official website
Visit website