St. Stephen's Basilica
St. Stephen's Basilica is the largest church in Budapest and, at 96 metres to the top of its dome, one of the two tallest buildings in the city, matching the Hungarian Parliament across the Danube. Built over more than half a century between 1851 and 1905, it passed through the hands of three architects: Jozsef Hild began it in a neoclassical idiom, Miklos Ybl gave it its dramatic neo-Renaissance dome after the original collapsed in 1868, and Jozsef Kauser completed it. Laid out on a symmetrical Greek-cross plan, the interior glows with coloured marble, gilding, and mosaics by leading Hungarian artists of the age.
The basilica is named for Stephen I, the first crowned king of Hungary (c. 975-1038), who Christianised the country and was canonised in 1083. Its most revered treasure is the Holy Right (Szent Jobb), the mummified right hand of the king, kept in an ornate reliquary in a dedicated chapel and carried through the streets each 20 August on Hungary's national St. Stephen's Day. Pope John Paul II visited in 1991, and in 1993 the church was elevated to co-cathedral of the Archdiocese of Esztergom-Budapest.
A working Catholic cathedral, the basilica hosts daily Masses, concerts beneath its soaring cupola, and a panoramic observation deck reached by lift or stairs. It anchors a lively pedestrian square in the Lipotvaros district and forms part of the buffer zone of Budapest's UNESCO World Heritage listing, drawing crowds of pilgrims and tourists year-round.
- Location
- 47.5008, 19.0539
- Local time
- 00:34 (Europe/Budapest)
🕘 Visiting hours
| Mon–Sat | 09:00–17:45 |
| Sun | 13:00–17:45 |
Published hours; tourist visiting is suspended during Masses and ceremonies, and dome/treasury hours vary seasonally. Verify before visiting.
✨ Saints & blessed venerated here
-
Saint Stephen I of Hungary Saint
The basilica is dedicated to Hungary's first Christian king, whose mummified right hand (the Holy Right) is enshrined here.
-
The Holy Right Hand (Szent Jobb) Saint
The incorrupt right hand of St. Stephen is kept in a gilded reliquary in its own chapel and is Hungary's most venerated relic.
-
Blessed Virgin Mary (Patrona Hungariae) Saint
As Patrona Hungariae, Mary is honoured throughout the basilica reflecting Hungary's traditional dedication to her.
Care & donations
Archdiocese of Esztergom-Budapest (St. Stephen's Basilica Parish)
Entry by donation/ticket; the dome lookout and treasury carry separate fees.
Official website →The candle wall
1 candles burning now · 150 places
00:34
Tap an empty holder to light your own candle · €2.00 · hover a flame to see its intention