Visit to Esztergom Basilica, Hungary’s Largest Church
It was May 2011, we were road tripping to zig zag through the various UNESCO World Heritage sites en-route to Budapest from Vienna. While I was heritage site hopping I must have kneeled in at least forty churches during my tour through the six European countries, starting from Germany to Switzerland, Austria, Slovakia and now Hungary and Czech Republic.
When I look back to my Europe 2011 trip, I recollect each cathedral was beautiful! Hungary churches were no exception. Thankfully we did not face the no photography rule in most of the churches. Today I look at these pictures of mine and I am virtually transported off to the grand interiors of the cathedrals.
Road Trip Vienna to Budapest
Distance between Vienna and Budapest is 243 km which can be covered in two and half hours, yet we planned to halt along the way and take one whole day! Love the leisure of self planning the itinerary and road tripping country to country!
So we halted at Gyor and Pannonhalma and then here at Esztergom before we set off for Budapest. Le Château-fort medieval d’Esztergom is included in tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage sites since 1993. Hope I can revisit the place some day.
Esztergom Basilica Exterior
The bright blue cupola of Esztergom Basilica on is visible from far. This gigantic structure kind of dominates the whole city of Esztergom. All other buildings around seemed dwarfed and we didn’t find it tempting to visit any other site after seeing this one church. The church is 118 meters high, with twenty two huge Corinthian Columns. The cathedral has a very simple facade. There are statues in niches at the main entrance and a dazzling green door.
Esztergom Basilica Facade Hungary
Standing at the base of one of these columns, I craned my neck to look up at the ceiling, the sheer size of it left my mouth wide open. It was built on the remnants of a 12th century St. Adalbert’s cathedral that was destroyed by the Turks. It took 45 years from 1822 to complete the construction of this mammoth monument. The cathedral closes at 5pm, so we missed going up to the dome. We missed the fantastic views of the city from up there.
You can see me in the pic – pink top to your right… just imagine the size now!
Explore Interior of Esztergom Basilica
Surprisingly we didn’t find any other tourist in the church. We were the only ones visiting the church that evening. Stepping in I found the interior simple, yet gorgeous. The architectural details are stunning. The mosaic work and paintings on wall are so well maintained and looked quite fresh.
Esztergom was once the capital of Hungary. Stephen, the first king of Hungary, was crowned here in 1000AD. The Basilica of Esztergom is famed to be the largest cathedral of Hungary. Esztergom cathedral ranks eighteenth in the list of large cathedrals in the world.
Esztergom Cathedral Mosaic work on wall
Main Altar of Esztergom Cathedral
The altar painting by Michelangelo Grigoletti (1854) is said to be the world’s largest painting on a single canvas.
Main altar of Esztergom church
Esztergom Cathedral Floor tiles
Esztergom Cathedral Stained glass window
It is free to enter and photography was permitted. We visited the crypt, I found it eerily silent. With pastel shade of peach on the walls it looked a very somber place. There were several tombs guarded by monoliths representing Mourning and Eternity. Among those at rest here is Cardinal József Mindszenty.
The treasury is rich with several precious collections and church plates of gold and silver studded with jewels.
Crypt of Esztergom Church Hungary
Other Things to Do in Esztergom
- Esztergom Castle that dates back to the 11th century, the museum in it a mine of information
- Primate’s Palace designed by József Lippert was built between 1880 and 1882. This Historicist, Neo-Renaissance palace was built as a residence for the archbishops of Esztergom
- Szechenyi Square – Every city in Hungary has a Szechenyi Square. Esztergom’s Szechenyi Square is studded with colourful baroque and neoclassical buildings, the town hall and busy cafes and restaurants
- Explore Dark Gate, a large tunnel, which connects the basilica seminary with the old town. It was named the Dark Gate due to the lack of light in the 90m tunnel
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wow, very interesting architecture….:)
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Superb and marvelous .
Your photographs are mind blowing. Yes the "No Photographs" sign in most of our temples here irritates me a lot.
Beautiful pictures, beautiful frames. Greetings.
The dome matches the round disc on the floor.
nice shots!
I'm very impressed by the churches you saw in Hungary. Your photos make me want to go there.
Some of these patterns are mesmerizing … especially the stars, petal shapes and circles. There was certainly no shortage of imaginary artists in historic times when these grand cathedrals were built. 🙂
the dome and architectural details are mesmerizing. terrific shots.
Gorgeous gorgeous interiors!
Hi Indrani, the Esztergom Cathedral I saw even once many years ago, she was very impressed and look forward to see you here in such great photos …
MOST enjoyable and transporting, Indrani
Aloha from Waikiki
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lovely pics!! 40 churches! no wonder u still havent finished writng about them!
beautiful photos
Beautiful, you aree an expert on cathedrals by now.
I really love the patterns and mosaic.
This is an incredible work of art!
Incredibly beautiful interiors!
What a magnificent cathedral. You took some wonderful shots.
Your photos are an inspiration!
So many details! I guess it took a very long time to build this church.
Beautiful images.
These are all pretty. I wonder how they made all of these it's excellent.
MYM
What an incredible cathedral and your captures are truly breathtaking, Indrani! I'm so glad you were able to take them! Hope you have a wonderful week!
Sylvia
Beautiful pictures. Waiting to see more!