Saint Stephen's Basilica, Interior

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Saint Stephen's Basilica, interior, dome

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.

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 1637, Sept 2008