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Budapest Saint Stephen's Cathedral 
Prior to the construction of St Stephen’s Church, the land was the location of the Hetz-Theater, which was noted for hosting animal fights. In the 1810s a temporary church was built there, and fundraising began for the construction of a permanent church. This progressed after the devastating flood of 1838 when the high ground provided a refuge for the residents, who, in thanksgiving, subsequently donated toward the construction of the church.
Originally, the building that was to become St Stephens Cathedral, was to be named after Saint Leopold, the patron saint of Austria, but this was changed to honour Saint Stephen I (r. 1001-1038) who was the first King of Hungary. The work on the church commenced in 1851 with the keystone being placed in the presence of the Emperor Franz Joseph I (r. 1848-1916). The building was completed in 1905. Although it had to undergo a complete rebuilt of the work that had been completed in 1858 due to the collapse of the dome due to poor quality building materials and faulty construction. Construction of the building commenced in neo-classical style to the design of József Hild but when Hild died in 1867 the project was taken over by Miklós Ybl, who modified Hild's initial plan to a more neo-Renaissance style. The building was consecrated in 1905. During World War II the church cellar was used to provide shelter for people and for a collection of the Hungarian National Archives although it did suffer serious damage, particularly during the siege of Budapest in 1944 by Soviet troops. Constructed in a Greek Cross ground plan, which means that all the arms are of the same length, although the overall length is 287 feet (87.4 m) with a width of 180 feet (55 m). Its height is 315 feet (96 m) which is equal to the Hungarian Parliament Building and no buildings in Budapest can be built higher than this. In 1931, Pope Pius XI awarded it the title of basilica minor. Between 1983 and 2003 the building underwent a complete renovation. It is the largest church in Budapest and the third-largest church building in present-day Hungary. Approaching the cathedral from the square the front facade incorporates two large bell towers. In the southern tower, there is the largest bell of Hungary. The two towers feature six bells in all, five are located in the northern tower, while the largest bell is located in the southern tower. This bell is used twice a year: on August 20th, on the church consecration day, and on December 31st. Visitors can access the dome using an elevator or by climbing the 364 steps which provides a good view of Budapest. Above the main entrance is the tympanum, this displays Our Lord on the Throne with Angels by Salviati of Venice. Just below this is an inscription of Christ’s words: "Ego Sum Via, Veritas et Vita" (I am the way the truth and the life).  Visitors enter the Basilica via the Treasury which consists of three rooms. The first contains a display of the construction of the building, while the others relate to the items pertaining to the Basilica’s history and functioning.  From there visitors are led towards St Adalbert’s altar, which is located in the left side aisle. St Adalbert (956-997) was the bishop of Prague who confirmed St Stephen and who was a friend of the Hungarian royal family. He died a martyr in Prussia.  Moving along the left side aisle is the transept and the Altar of the Holy Cross. Above this altar is the painting by Gyula Stettka of the crucifixion. As you walk past this the knees of Christ are always pointing towards you.
 The next altar is that of St Joseph, with the painting above depicting him teaching the young Jesus. On either side of him are paintings of St Peter and St Paul.  In the central part of the church is the Transept which is located under the dome. The interior of the dome is covered with mosaics. At the height of the dome are depictions of Heaven with the figure of God. There is a row of the prophets and St John the Baptist which surrounds Christ enthroned. This relates to the relationship between the Old and New Testaments. Above the pillars supporting the dome are pictures of the four Evangelists. Shown on the wide barrel vaults are aspects relating to the birth, teaching, miracles and resurrection of Christ. Underneath the dome are numerous statues.  The sanctuary vault highlights the important stages of St. Stephen's life in the bronze relief series by Ede Mayer. The canopy altarpiece designed by József Kauser contains the statue of St. Stephen carved out of Carrara marble by Alajos Stróbl. Over the canopy is the figure of the Archangel Gabriel.  The pulpit is also the work of József Kauser.  The great organ was built in 1905 and was produced in Pécs, Hungary. It underwent a number of developments in 1932, 1937 and then from between 1992 to 2004.  Many sculptors contributed to the inner decoration of St. Stephen’s Basilica and more than 50 different types of marble were used for the sculptures. The thing that the cathedral is most famous for is the right hand of St Stephen. This is contained in a glass case situated in front of the Blessed Virgin Mary’s altar. The altar displays a painting depicting King Stephen offering his country to the Virgin Mary.  The hand was brought to Buda by Queen Mary Theresa in 1771 where it remained in the chapel at Buda Castle until 1944 when it was taken to the west. It returned to Budapest in 1950 and was put on display in the glass case in St Stephen’s in 1987.  On the 20th August each year is the procession of the Holy Right Hand to celebrate St Stephen the founder of Hungary.
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All Photographs were taken by and are copyright of Ron Gatepain
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