St. Stephen's Basilica

St. Stephen's Basilica (Szent István-bazilika) in Budapest is a famous tourist destination due to its remarkable architecture, the beauty of its interior, and the panoramic views from its dome. The cathedral is dedicated to St. Stephen, Hungary's holy king, and the Hungarian state's founder. The building began in 1851, but because of various setbacks, including the collapse of its unfinished dome, it was not consecrated until 1905.

During WWII, the roof, towers, and external walls were severely damaged, and the church's valuable mosaics fell off the walls. These, however, were successfully restored to their former location and are the focal point of the elaborately decorated interior. The sanctuary has the most magnificent of these, a five-part Venetian mosaic depicting the allegories of the mass. The most valuable holy relic in the cathedral, the mummified right hand of the church's patron saint, the first monarch of Hungary, is shown behind glass in the chapel to the left of the high altar.

If time allows, one of the greatest things to do here is riding one of the two elevators up to the cupola for panoramic views of the city and the Danube (alternatively, you can climb the 364 steps). On weekdays, guided tours of the basilica are provided. Also, you should keep an eye on the cathedral's website for information about upcoming organ and classical music concerts.

Google rating: 4.7/5.0
Address: Budapest, Szent István tér 1, 1051 Hungary
Phone number: +36 1 311 0839
Official site: http://en.bazilika.biz/