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View from Castle grounds, Saint Stephen's Basilica
Although not technically a basilica (the pope hasn't given it that
honor), Hungarians call St. Stephen's Church in Budapest "the Basilica" in
honor of its sheer size. It is the largest church in Hungary.
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.
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.
Photo 1420, Sept 2008
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From tour bus, part of Saint Stephen's Basilica
Photo 1568, Sept 2008
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Saint Stephen's Basilica
Photo 1631, Sept 2008
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Saint Stephen's Basilica
Photo 1619, Sept 2008
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Saint Stephen's Basilica, detail
Photo 1622, Sept 2008
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Saint Stephen's Basilica, detail
Photo 1625, Sept 2008
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Saint Stephen's Basilica
Photo 1627, Sept 2008
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Saint Stephen's Basilica
Photo 1628, Sept 2008
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Saint Stephen's Basilica, detail
Photo 1629, Sept 2008
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Saint Stephen's Basilica, detail
Photo 1632, Sept 2008
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Saint Stephen's Basilica, detail more
Photo 1632d, Sept 2008
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Saint Stephen's Basilica, detail
Photo 1633, Sept 2008
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Saint Stephen's Basilica, detail
Photo 1634, Sept 2008
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Saint Stephen's Basilica, detail
Photo 1635, Sept 2008
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Saint Stephen's Basilica
Photo 1720, Sept 2008
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Saint Stephen's Basilica, river
Photo 1761, Sept 2008
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