Pest - St Stephen's Basilica

(Local Name: Szent István-bazilika) St Stephen's Basilica (Szent István bazilika), in Neo-Renaissance style, is one of the most imposing ecclesiastical buildings of the Hungarian capital. The church is of monumental proportions with a central dome 96m (315ft) high, and two 80m (262ft) high towers at the west end. Building began in 1851. The plans were largely the work of Jószef Hild, the great exponent of Classical architecture. After Hild's death and the collapse of the dome in 1868, Miklós Ybl proposed new plans for the church. After Ybl's death in 1905 Josef Kauser completed the work.

Magnificent works of art adorn the interior, including figures by Alajos Stróbl and János Fadrusz. The mosaics on the dome were produced in the Salviati workshop in Venice. At the magnificent High Altar is a statue of St Stephen made of Carrara marble by Alajos Stróbl. Of particular note is the painting on the second side-altar to the right of the main entrance; it is a work by Gyula Benczúr and shows St Stephen offering the Hungarian crown to Mary.

The sacristy, which has been converted to a chapel, contains the "Holy Laws" drawn up by the great Hungarian ruler.

The Fessler statues are one of the special features of St Stephen's Basilica. On the exterior wall of the apse the Twelve Apostles can be seen; the Four Evangelists stand in niches on the outside of the dome; in niches on the towers of the main façade are likenesses of the Fathers of the Church, while in the tympanum of the narthex can be seen the Patrona Hungariae, surrounded by Hungarian saints.