BP_booklet_text_EN

SAINT STEPHEN’S BASILICA
As the church’s proud castle, this divine monument is the
adornment of the Szent István tér (square). Although a
collection had been launched as early as 1810, construction work
on St Stephen’s Basilica began in 1851 to designs by József Hild,
who worked on the completion of the church until his death in
March 1867. Following this, one of the most acclaimed architects
of the age, Miklós Ybl, was given the commission to construct
the building. The year 1868 is memorable in the history of the
construction of the church, when due to poor building methods
and material quality issues, the walls and drum of the dome collapsed.
Construction continued in 1871 after a lengthy break and
a Neo-Renaissance building was erected on reinforced foundations.
Construction was so important , even the monarch Franz
Jozef came to see how the keystone would be set down. . Bombings
during World War II caused significant damage to the walls,
towers and roof structure of the building, so these have had to be
reconstructed. Complete renovation of the Basilica began in 1983
and finished in 2003. The sanctuary is a frequently visited place
by believers, but it is also a popular tourist sight of Budapest. The
building itself is astonishing while the view of the city seen from
the cupola is simply unforgettable. The building is 96 metres
high, which is on record today as the third tallest building in the
country. It is possible to access the circular viewing gallery by lift,
or by climbing 364 steps for those of an enterprising spirit. The
ceremonial opening of the treasury expanded by three additional
rooms, took place on 18/03/2012 and houses the fullest legacy of
Prince Primate Cardinal József Mindszenty.
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