Inside pf St Stephen's Basilica by M Petravsko
Inside pf St Stephen's Basilica by M Petravsko

St Stephen’s Basilica Budapest

The stunning St Stephen’s Basilica Budapest is undeniably one of the most impressive of Budapest’s World Heritage sights and is another stunning example of the beautiful architecture and history of Hungary’s capital.

St Stephen's Basilica by Zsoolt
St Stephen’s Basilica by Zsoolt

St. Stephen’s Basilica is the largest church in Budapest and can hold up to 8,500 people. It took to build the Basilica 54 years and three architects (Jozsef Hild, Miklos Ybl and Jozsef Kauser) who worked on it during this period.

The buildings started in 1851, while the inauguration ceremony took place in 1906 and was attended by Emperor Franz Joseph himself.

Unfortunately, the dome collapsed in 1868 (during the building) and it had to be rebuilt completely.

St Stephen's Basilica Budapest
St Stephen’s Basilica Budapest

Apart from being the largest church in Budapest, the Basilica offers some unique attractions:

  • St.Stephen (1000-1038) is the patron saint of the church, as he was the first king of Hungary. The Basilica houses Hungary’s most sacred treasure, St. Stephen’s mummified right hand, the Szent Jobb (Holy Right Hand), which is kept in a glass case in the chapel to the left of the main altar.
  • The dome is 96 meters high, the exact same height as the Budapest Parliament Building. Go up, taking either a lift or stairs (364 steps), and take in the view of whole Budapest from above!
  • Due to the great acoustics, several excellent musical programs are organised in the Basilica throughout the year, providing magical settings. Take part in an organ concert performed by one of Hungary’s most talented pipe organ players, Kolos Kovats.

Address: Szt. Istvan square, district V. Budapest

Cupola in St Stephen's Basilica Budapest by Avisionn Photos
Cupola in St Stephen’s Basilica Budapest by Avisionn Photos

Opening times for tourists:

Monday-Friday: 9.00-17.00
Saturday: 9.00-13.00
Sunday: 13.00-17.00

Admission: free

Visiting the Treasury and entering the Tower costs HUF 1.000.

Discounted tickets are available for Pensioners, Students and Budapest Card holders.

Guided Tours
Guided tours in English, German and Hungarian are available from Mondays through Fridays between 10:00 am and 3:00 pm.

UPCOMING CONCERTS in St Stephen’s Basilica

 

Baroque Concerts at St Stephen’s Basilica

Concerts in Budapest in St Stephen's Basilica
Concerts in Budapest in St Stephen’s Basilica
  • from 8pm
  • Best of Baroque
  • 4 Categories
Booking

Organ Nights In Budapest Basilica Concert Series

Inside pf St Stephen's Basilica by M Petravsko
Inside pf St Stephen’s Basilica by M Petravsko
  • From 8 pm
  • Classical Music (Bach, Vivaldi etc)
  • Award-winning organist Miklos Teleki
  • 3 Categories
  • Optional Hotel Pick Up and Drop off
  • Note: the pipe organ is not played
Booking

Mozart’s Requiem Concert at St Stephen’s Basilica

St Stephen's Basilica in Budapest
St Stephen’s Basilica in Budapest
  • from 8pm
  • Mozart’s choral masterpiece
  • Esztergom Symphony Orchestra
  • 4 Categories
Booking

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4 comments

  1. We are travelling to Budapest from 18th to 22nd March 2020, could you please confirm if St Stephens will be open for visitors.

    • Dear Tracey,
      Thank you for contacting us regarding opening hours of St. Stephen’s Basilica.
      Please note that the Basilica will be open for church-goers and individual visitors but from noon (12pm) on March 21 no public holy masses and lithurgic events will be held.
      We wish you a great stay in the Hungarian capital!

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