Saint Stephen's Basilica
Encyclopedia
St. Stephen's Basilica is a Roman Catholic basilica
in Budapest
, Hungary
. It is named in honour of Stephen, the first King
of Hungary (c 975–1038), whose mummified fist
is housed in the reliquary
.
.
This is the most important church building in Hungary, one of the most significant tourist attractions and the third highest building in Hungary.
Equal with the Hungarian Parliament Building
, it is one of the two tallest buildings in Budapest at 96 metres (315 ft) - this equation symbolises that worldly and spiritual thinking have the same importance. According to current regulations there cannot be taller building in Budapest than 96 metres (315 ft). It has a width of 55 metres (180.4 ft), and length of 87.4 metres (286.7 ft). It was completed in 1905 after 54 years of construction, according to the plans of Miklós Ybl
, and was completed by József Kauser. Much of this delay can be attributed to the collapse of the dome
in 1868 which required complete demolition of the completed works and rebuilding from the ground up.
The architectural style is Neo-Classical; it has a Greek cross ground plan. The façade
is anchored by two large bell tower
s. In the southern tower is Hungary's biggest bell, weighing over 9 tonnes (8.9 LT) . Its predecessor had a weight of almost 8 tonnes (7.9 LT), but it was used for military purposes during World War II
. Visitors may access the dome by elevator
s or by climbing 364 stairs for a 360° view overlooking Budapest.
Concerts in the Basilica:
The program of the concerts was adapted by Miklós Teleki. Together with András Virágh, they belong to some of the best organ artists in Hungary. The arias of the program are performed by Kolos Kováts, one of the most famous concert and oratorio singers in Hungary. Among numerous prizes, in 1992 he received also the highest prize Hungarian artists can acquire: the Kossuth Prize
. The flute is played by Eleonóra Krusic who is already known for her performances with different orchestras from Barcelona to Zürich, Granz and Viena.
Actual concert dates
The largest bell in Hungary. Located in the south tower, it weighs 9250 kg and has a diameter of 240 cm. It was made by the Perner bell foundry in Passau, Germany in 1990.
The oldest bell in the church, founded by Ferenc Walser in 1863 in [Pest]. It weighs 3100 kg and has a diameter of 178,5 cm.
It weighs 2150 kg and has a diameter of 150 cm. Founded in Passau in 1993.
It weighs 1250 kg and has a diameter of 117,8 cm. Founded in Passau in 1993.
It weighs 750 kg. Founded in Passau in 1993.
It weighs 500 kg. Founded in Passau in 1993.
The great bell was consecrated on 20th August 1990, on the day of St. Stephan. The four smaller bells were consecrated three years later on the same day.
Basilica
The Latin word basilica , was originally used to describe a Roman public building, usually located in the forum of a Roman town. Public basilicas began to appear in Hellenistic cities in the 2nd century BC.The term was also applied to buildings used for religious purposes...
in Budapest
Budapest
Budapest is the capital of Hungary. As the largest city of Hungary, it is the country's principal political, cultural, commercial, industrial, and transportation centre. In 2011, Budapest had 1,733,685 inhabitants, down from its 1989 peak of 2,113,645 due to suburbanization. The Budapest Commuter...
, Hungary
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
. It is named in honour of Stephen, the first King
Monarch
A monarch is the person who heads a monarchy. This is a form of government in which a state or polity is ruled or controlled by an individual who typically inherits the throne by birth and occasionally rules for life or until abdication...
of Hungary (c 975–1038), whose mummified fist
Hand
A hand is a prehensile, multi-fingered extremity located at the end of an arm or forelimb of primates such as humans, chimpanzees, monkeys, and lemurs...
is housed in the reliquary
Reliquary
A reliquary is a container for relics. These may be the physical remains of saints, such as bones, pieces of clothing, or some object associated with saints or other religious figures...
.
Architecture
The church is named for Saint Stephen I of Hungary, the first King of Hungary (c. 975–1038), whose incorruptible right hand is housed in the reliquaryReliquary
A reliquary is a container for relics. These may be the physical remains of saints, such as bones, pieces of clothing, or some object associated with saints or other religious figures...
.
This is the most important church building in Hungary, one of the most significant tourist attractions and the third highest building in Hungary.
Equal with the Hungarian Parliament Building
Hungarian Parliament Building
The Hungarian Parliament Building is the seat of the National Assembly of Hungary, one of Europe's oldest legislative buildings, a notable landmark of Hungary and a popular tourist destination of Budapest. It lies in Lajos Kossuth Square, on the bank of the Danube, in Budapest...
, it is one of the two tallest buildings in Budapest at 96 metres (315 ft) - this equation symbolises that worldly and spiritual thinking have the same importance. According to current regulations there cannot be taller building in Budapest than 96 metres (315 ft). It has a width of 55 metres (180.4 ft), and length of 87.4 metres (286.7 ft). It was completed in 1905 after 54 years of construction, according to the plans of Miklós Ybl
Miklós Ybl
Miklós Ybl was one of Europe's leading architects in the mid to late nineteenth century as well as Hungary's most influential architect during his career...
, and was completed by József Kauser. Much of this delay can be attributed to the collapse of the dome
Dome
A dome is a structural element of architecture that resembles the hollow upper half of a sphere. Dome structures made of various materials have a long architectural lineage extending into prehistory....
in 1868 which required complete demolition of the completed works and rebuilding from the ground up.
The architectural style is Neo-Classical; it has a Greek cross ground plan. The façade
Facade
A facade or façade is generally one exterior side of a building, usually, but not always, the front. The word comes from the French language, literally meaning "frontage" or "face"....
is anchored by two large bell tower
Bell tower
A bell tower is a tower which contains one or more bells, or which is designed to hold bells, even if it has none. In the European tradition, such a tower most commonly serves as part of a church and contains church bells. When attached to a city hall or other civic building, especially in...
s. In the southern tower is Hungary's biggest bell, weighing over 9 tonnes (8.9 LT) . Its predecessor had a weight of almost 8 tonnes (7.9 LT), but it was used for military purposes during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Visitors may access the dome by elevator
Elevator
An elevator is a type of vertical transport equipment that efficiently moves people or goods between floors of a building, vessel or other structures...
s or by climbing 364 stairs for a 360° view overlooking Budapest.
Concerts in the Basilica:
The program of the concerts was adapted by Miklós Teleki. Together with András Virágh, they belong to some of the best organ artists in Hungary. The arias of the program are performed by Kolos Kováts, one of the most famous concert and oratorio singers in Hungary. Among numerous prizes, in 1992 he received also the highest prize Hungarian artists can acquire: the Kossuth Prize
Kossuth Prize
The Kossuth Prize is a state-sponsored award in Hungary, named after the Hungarian politician and revolutionary Lajos Kossuth. The Prize was established in 1948 by the Hungarian National Assembly, to acknowledge outstanding personal and group achievements in the fields of...
. The flute is played by Eleonóra Krusic who is already known for her performances with different orchestras from Barcelona to Zürich, Granz and Viena.
Actual concert dates
Bells of the basilica
The basilica has six bells: one in the south tower and five in the north tower.- Great St. Stephan bell:
The largest bell in Hungary. Located in the south tower, it weighs 9250 kg and has a diameter of 240 cm. It was made by the Perner bell foundry in Passau, Germany in 1990.
- Blessed Virgin Mary bell:
The oldest bell in the church, founded by Ferenc Walser in 1863 in [Pest]. It weighs 3100 kg and has a diameter of 178,5 cm.
- St. Henry II. bell:
It weighs 2150 kg and has a diameter of 150 cm. Founded in Passau in 1993.
- Blessed Gizella bell:
It weighs 1250 kg and has a diameter of 117,8 cm. Founded in Passau in 1993.
- Saint Emeric bell:
It weighs 750 kg. Founded in Passau in 1993.
- Saint Erzsébet (Elizabeth) from the House of Árpád bell:
It weighs 500 kg. Founded in Passau in 1993.
The great bell was consecrated on 20th August 1990, on the day of St. Stephan. The four smaller bells were consecrated three years later on the same day.
External links
- Official website of Saint Stephen's Basilica in Hungarian
- Choir of the Saint Stephen Basilica
- Official 3D Virtual Tour of Saint Stephen's Basilica (38 panoramic images, detailed descriptions in English, German and Hungarian)
- Interior view of Saint Stephen's Basilica
- Accommodation close to the Saint Stephen's Basilica
- Organ concert tickets online reservation