St. Stephen's Basilica
Szent Instván Bazilika 

Building St Stephen’s Church
It took over 50 years to build the Bazilika, which was completed in 1905. Three leading architects, two of whom died before work was finished, presided over its construction. The delay was due in large part to the collapse of the dome in 1868, requiring complete rebuilding from the ground up.
After its completion, St. Stephen's was considered so sturdy that important documents and artworks were stored in it during the World War II bombings.
In 2003, a full-scale renovation of the church and neighboring square was finally completed.

Construction
József Hild designed a large Neoclassical basilica similar to the basilica in Esztergom. The ground plan forms a Greek cross. Because of the vicinity of the Danube huge foundations had to be constructed that resulted in an underground cellar almost as large as the subsurface building.
Many art treasures and precious documents survived down there the second world war.
Afterh Hild's death Ybl reworked the plans creating a neo-Renaissance style church. You can recognise Ybl's work at the main facade and the wall along Bajcsy-Zsiinszky út.
Ionic coloumns and statues of the twelve apostoles adorne the outside walls.

The interior
The incredibly ornate interior features about 50 different types of marble, elaborately decorated chapels, and many sculptures, including a bust of the basilica’s patron saint, who was the first Christian king of Hungary. Special Papal permission had to be granted in order to place the statue on the altar. St Stephen's preserved right hand in the Chapel of the Holy Right.
The cleaned-up front of the church graces the colorful and grand Szent István tér (St. Stephen's Square), where travelers sip their coffee in open-air cafes.
The bust above the main entrance is of King Stephen, Hungary's first Christian king. Inside the church, in the Chapel of the Holy Right (Szent Jobb Kápolna), you can see Hungarian Catholicism's most cherished holy relic: Stephen's right hand

Between 1st April-31st October you can admire one of Budapest's best panoramic views from the right tower. An elevator takes the tourist up until halfway.
Climbing out into the inside of the dome in a wrought iron construction and getting to the space between the outside and inside of the dome.
Many special documents and treasured works of art were stored here during World War II as the building was considered sturdy enough to withstand any bombings that might occur.

In 2003, the church was given its most recent facelift and has been restored to its original grandeur.

source: www.sacred-destinations.com

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