Budapest’s iconic landmark, St Stephen’s Basilica celebrates 120 years!
The 120th anniversary of one of Budapest’s most iconic landmarks, St Stephen’s Basilica, was marked with a spectacular light projection, a solemn mass, and a concert. During the mass, Cardinal Péter Erdő, Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest, highlighted in his homily that the basilica’s 120-year history reflects the path of divine providence.
What stories do the walls of St Stephen’s Basilica tell?
The Cardinal noted: “The walls, paintings, and statues—and indeed the souls within—bear witness to a history of wars and destruction, renewal and construction.” He added that the basilica’s patron saint, King Saint Stephen, is the protector of the entire Hungarian nation, and that it is a “special grace” that the church preserves the Holy Right Hand.
He emphasised that the faith life of St Stephen’s Basilica’s parish community demonstrates that “an intimate encounter with Christ is possible even in the heart of the capital, amidst the often overwhelming noise.” In fact, he said, it is not only possible but something we long for, “because we feel that it is a true source of strength for our personal lives, our parish community, our Church, and the entire Hungarian nation.”
At the beginning of the mass, the Cardinal remarked that the anniversary is not only an occasion to give thanks for the magnificent building itself but also for the community within the basilica, for the “faith and life” that continue to thrive within its walls, some expressions of which may be stronger than ever.
The evening concluded with a concert by the basilica’s choir and organists.
A birthday retrospective of St Stephen’s Basilica
According to the Archdiocese of Esztergom-Budapest, the 120th anniversary is also marked in the Archdiocese’s Christmas magazine with a 30-page illustrated feature on the cathedral. Alongside historical essays, the feature presents the church as a home for prayer, art, and the living community it houses.
Budapest’s largest Roman Catholic church, St Stephen’s Basilica took more than 50 years to build. Fundraising began as early as the 1810s, but construction only started in 1851 based on designs by József Hild, who oversaw the project until his death in March 1867.
Afterwards, Miklós Ybl was commissioned to continue the work. On 22 January 1868, the dome—still built according to Hild’s plans—collapsed. In an effort to economise, only the external layer of the dome’s supporting pillars had been made from brick, with lower-quality stones and rubble used inside. Ybl halted the work in time and cordoned off the construction site, preventing any casualties.
Construction paused while debris was cleared and faulty sections dismantled, a process that continued until 1871.
Completion according to Ybl’s vision
To resume the project, Ybl redesigned Hild’s neoclassical plans in a Neo-Renaissance style. Following Ybl’s death in 1891, work continued according to his vision until the church’s consecration in 1905. After Ybl’s passing, the decorative and finishing works were overseen by József Kauser.
St Stephen’s Basilica was consecrated on 9 November 1905, although the placement of the final stone did not take place until 8 December 1906, in the presence of Emperor Franz Joseph I. The building underwent comprehensive restoration between 1983 and 2003, which included renovation of its statues, artworks, and stained-glass windows.