Destination guide for Budapest’s St. Stephen’s Basilica.
History
St. Stephen’s Basilica, a masterpiece of art and architecture, is considered to be one of Hungary’s most significant religious sites. The basilica is dedicated to St. Stephen, who served as the first Hungarian King. Designed by József Hild, an architect from Pest, construction on the basilica started in August of 1851 and was completed in 1890. Work in the church’s interior continued through 1905, and St. Stephen’s Basilica was formally dedicated in November of that year.
During World War II, St. Stephen’s Basilica, along with much of Budapest, sustained significant damage from relentless bombings, and the church’s roof structure had to be completely replaced after the war. Today, it stands restored as a symbol of Hungary’s resilience, inspiring thousands of visitors each year with its grandeur and beauty.
The Holy Right Hand of St. Stephen is one of Hungary’s most significant national relics.
Every year on August 20th, the feast of St. Stephen, the relic is carried in a procession through Budapest.
Visiting St. Stephen’s Basilica
I visited St. Stephen’s Basilica during my solo adventures in Budapest, and I must admit it was a bittersweet moment, as this site was the final stop on my European vacation. I didn’t have much time to visit the basilica, so I had to rush through the church and treasury before making my way to the panoramic terrace, from where one has a magnificent view of Budapest.
A big regret from the trip was missing the opportunity to attend the afternoon mass that is offered in English. Fortunately, St. Stephen’s Basilica allows visitors during services, so I was able to catch the tail end of the Mass and the final hymns (short clip of the last hymn at the end of this post).
I hope to return to Budapest someday to revisit St. Stephen’s Basilica and appreciate all it has to offer.
St. Stephen’s Basilica is a must-see site in Budapest, and a visit can easily take an hour. The church is an awe-inspiring Neoclassical masterpiece featuring vibrant frescoes, marble columns and carvings, gilded reliefs, stained glass windows, and an impressive dome.
Plan to spend at least 20 to 25 minutes exploring the church. After visiting the church, head to the treasury, which displays ecclesiastical objects, vestments, relics, and other noteworthy historical items. The treasury is not that large and can be viewed in 10 to 15 minutes.
The final stop of your visit is the panoramic terrace. The views from here were amazing! In the distance, against the backdrop of the Buda Hills, one can see Matthias Church, the Hungarian National Gallery, and the Danube River. Despite being in a hurry, I spent 15 minutes walking around the terrace, enjoying the views and the wonderful breeze.
A fitting end to an amazing trip!!
The panoramic terrace closes at 7:00 PM, so visitors can watch the sunset from the basilica. Note this does not apply to the summer months when the sun sets after 8:00 PM.
St. Stephen’s Basilica is located on the Pest side of the city, about a block away from Andrássy út, a major boulevard that runs through the heart of Pest. Regarding public transit, there is a bus and tram stop right in front of the basilica, and two metro stations – Bajcsy-Zsilinszky út (Line 1) and Arany János utca (Line 3) – are within walking distance.
A visit to the basilica requires a pass, and three options are available: 1) church, 2) treasury and panoramic terrace, and 3) church, treasury, and panoramic terrace. I recommend that visitors purchase the “All In One” pass if they have the time to visit all three locations. Tickets can be purchased online or in person at a ticket office located next to the basilica (there are signs directing visitors to the office).
For those interested in a guided tour, St. Stephen’s Basilica offers tours in English, German, and other languages for groups of two or more people.
Admission discounts are available for families and those in certain age groups.
St. Stephen’s Basilica is fully accessible. Elevators are available to take guests to the treasury and the panoramic terrace.
Resources
The St. Stephen’s Basilica website provides detailed information on the church’s history and the Holy Right Hand, as well as information for visitors.
Video
This is a short clip from one of the hymns during the English mass at St. Stephen’s Basilica.
2 COMMENTS
astrohvarna
6 months agoA great article with lots of valuable information! The website
is well-organized and easy to navigate.
Erika Maria
6 months ago AUTHORThank you for the kind words and I am glad you find my website to be helpful!