Observe the towering dome above us. That dome belongs to the Szent István Király-templom. This basilica is a testament to faith perseverance and architectural grandeur. Let me tell you its story.
The Szent István Király-templom is one of Hungary’s most significant religious buildings. It serves as the co-cathedral of the Esztergom-Budapest Archdiocese. Its namesake is Saint Stephen. He was the founder of the Hungarian state. The Szent István Király-templom holds his preserved right hand the Szent Jobb as a relic. Reaching 96 meters high it is one of the tallest buildings in Hungary. Only the Mol Campus is taller.
But its story begins not with saints but with spectacles. Before the Szent István Király-templom stood here a theater hosted animal fights. It was the Hetz-Theater. As the Lipótváros neighborhood developed a wealthy citizen János Zitterbarth built a small temporary church. In 1817 the Lipótváros parish formed with a thousand members. They needed a proper church.
The great flood of 1838 gave the final push. The area where the Szent István Király-templom now stands was a small hill. Hundreds sought refuge here from the rising waters. Surviving they vowed to build a church on this spot.
In 1845 József Hild received the commission to design the church. Work began in 1846. The 1848-49 Revolution and War of Independence caused delays. Hild envisioned a classicist building. Construction began in 1851 financed by Baron Simon Sina.
Hild died in 1867. Soon after serious construction flaws came to light. On January 22 1868 the cupola collapsed due to poor materials and uneven settling. Clearing the debris took until 1871.
Miklós Ybl redesigned the Szent István Király-templom in Neo-Renaissance style. He supervised the work until his death in 1891. József Kauser completed the interior in 1905. The Szent István Király-templom was finally consecrated on November 9 1905. Originally it was to be named after Saint Leopold. But in 1897 it was dedicated to Saint Stephen.
During the siege of Budapest in 1944-45 the Szent István Király-templom suffered heavy damage. The roof needed replacement. In 1947 the cupola burned down again. Donations helped rebuild it. In 1983 a storm damaged the cupola’s covering. A full renovation began finishing in 2003. The renovations included new lighting and restoration of artwork.
A treasury opened in 1988. In 2010 the new Chapel of the Holy Sepulchre was consecrated. In 2012 the treasury expanded. It displayed the legacy of Cardinal József Mindszenty. The Szent Jobb a replica is a permanent exhibit. Since its construction the Szent István Király-templom was state property. The Catholic Church gained ownership in 2001.
The Szent István Király-templom is Budapest’s second tallest building. It can hold 8000 people. Hild’s original design was more closed off. Ybl’s redesign gave it its current form. Statues of saints and evangelists adorn the exterior.
Inside the Szent István Király-templom the architectural structure is not basilica-like. The interior is rich with art. Mosaics stained glass and sculptures fill the space. Károly Senyei created the Saint Stephen relief. Bertalan Székely and Mór Than made the mosaics. Károly Lotz painted the cupola. Gyula Benczúr designed the mosaics on the sanctuary vault. Alajos Strobl created the main altar with Saint Stephen’s statue.
The Szent István Király-templom has several bells. The largest is the Szent István bell. It weighs 9250 kg. The Nagyboldogasszony bell is the only original bell from 1863. The Szent Henrik the Boldog Gizella Szent Imre and Árpád-házi Szent Erzsébet bells are also present.
The Szent István Király-templom received the Basilica Minor title in 1931. In 1938 it hosted the Eucharistic World Congress. Since its consecration it has been a center of Saint Stephen worship. Since 1971 the Szent Jobb has been housed here. Every August 20th the Szent Jobb procession takes place.
Distinguished musicians have played the Szent István Király-templom’s organ. Concerts are often held. The crypt houses the remains of famous Hungarians including Ferenc Puskás. The Szent István Király-templom stands as a symbol of Hungarian history faith and art.