Sights in Esztergom

The Basilica of Esztergom is the most beautiful cathedral in Hungary and it has always played an important part in the history of the Hungarian nation. The Esztergom Cathedral is a genuine Classicist masterpiece due to its picturesque geographical location and unique beauty. It is dedicated to the Saint Mary of the Assumption and Saint Adalbert. Its inner area is 5,600 m². It is 118 m long and 49 m wide and the 72m-high central dome can be seen for many kilometres around. Consider-ing its size, Basilica is the tallest building in Hungary, and it is one of the largest cathedral in Europe. The huge crypt, built in Old Egyptian style in 1831, is today the resting place of late archbishops. Besides, it is the most precious remaining example of Renaissance art in Hungary. Further highlights include the dome, treasury and crypt.

The 400 steps leading up to it are to the left of the crypt entrance and on the way you pass through the new Panorama Hall. On the northwest side of the church is the entrance to the basilica’s treasury, an Aladdin’s cave of vestments and church plate in gold and silver, studded with jewels. It is the richest ecclesiastical collection in Hungary. In short, The Esztergom Basalica is one the most significant buildings in Hungary.

Cathedral History:

The building of the present church took place on the foundation of several earlier churches. The first was built by Stephen I of Hungary between 1001–1010 ( as the original Saint Adalbert church), the first cathedral in Hungary, which was burned down at the end of the 12th century. It was rebuilt, and even survived the Mongol invasion of Hungary. The archbishops of the 14th and 15th century made the church more ornate and added a huge library, the second most significant one in the country. It was ruined again under Turkish rule, in 1543. The next church was the Church of Saint Stephen the Martyr, built by Prince Géza. The third church was a circular chap-el from Saint Stephen’s age, unearthed in the Royal Palace of the kings of the Árpád dynasty. The fourth church the Saint Vitus Chapel. The fifth church of mediaeval origin, the castle chapel of King Béla III can be found in the Royal Palace of the Árpád dynasty. This palace chapel is one of our architectural monuments with the earliest appearance of Gothic style, or the mixture of early Parisian Gothic style and late Romanesque architecture. These characteristics make it an outstanding monument of Hungarian mediaeval architecture. And finally, the sixth church is the Bakócz Chapel, the unique monument of Hungarian Renaissance architecture, built in the 16th century.

THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE ESZTERGOM CATHEDRAL

The construction of the Esztergom Cathedral was the biggest church building project in the first part of the 19th century. Prince Primate Sándor Rudnay (1819 - 1831) started looking for an architect to draw up the plans for the new Cathedral in 1820. Demolition and rubble removal work began and on 23 April 1822, the day of Saint Adalbert the foundation stone was laid. The architect was Pál Kühnel and the lead contractor was János Packh. The Bakócz chapel was carefully disas-sembled (into about 1,600 pieces) and was moved 20 metres away from its original location and attached to the new basilica. In 1838 Packh was murdered, so József Hild was placed in charge of construction. He completed it in Classicistic style. Under the next archbishop, János Scitovszky, the upper church was completed and dedicated on August 31, 1856. The final completion of the cathe-dral took place twelve years later in 1869.

THE CRYPT

There are 57 stairs leading down to the Basilica' s crypt. This building was made by Packh János's plans. As soon as we get to the crypt we will see two huge scupltures made by Andreas Schroth. Among the hundreds of gravestones we can find the most famous pepole's gravestones in Hungarian history. Firstly, there is Vitéz János's gravestone, who was the archbishop of Esztergom and a prominent humanist. Secondly, Szécsi Dénes's gravestone can be found there, who enthroned the Matthias I. Thirdly, János Csernoch's tomb can be found in the west side of the building, who was a Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church and Archbishop of Esztergom and Primate of Hunga-ry. Zala György had this monument built in 1930. Inside the rotunda a lot of bishops are buried, such as the archduke Habsburg – Estei Charles's body. The crypt includes the body of Midszenty Joseph, whose dead body was kept in Mariazell until 1991. The Pope Saint John Pall II. used to pray in the Basilica.

PANORAMA HALL

Over the Cathedral Treasury is a place that was formerly the archiepiscopal archive. Nowa-days in the Panorama Hall – as it is called now – Visitors can see a maquette, showing what arch-bishop Sándor Rudnay planned to build on the hill. Also in this part of the room is the maquette of the Cupola-structure. In the middle is a big panorama window offering nice view to the Danube, and the Café offers possibility to refresh ourselves. The coffee, you order can be made also in caf-feine-free version.

Opening Hours 2018

Last entry to the Crypt at 16.40, to the Treasury at 16.30, to the Panorama Hall at 16.00.

Last entry to the Crypt at 16.40, to the Treasury at 16.30, to the Panorama Hall at 17.30, to the Dome Lookout at 17.30.

Last entry to the Crypt at 17.40, to the Treasury at 17.30, to the Panorama Hall at 18.30, to the Dome Lookout at 18.30.

On 24 December only the Church is open, from 8.00 to 12.00. Visitors are welcome to attend the Christmas Evening Prayer later in the evening and the Midnight Mass.

Last entry to the Crypt at 16.40, to the Treasury at 16.30, to the Panorama Hall at 17.30, to the Dome Lookout at 17.30.

Prices

Combinated ticket:  Crypt, Treasury, Panorama Hall, Dome Lookout

Masses

Further information:

Telephone: +36 33/402-354
Telephone: +36 33/413-375
Web: bazilika-esztergom.hu/en

Opening Hours:

November – March: 10.00-16.00

April - October: 10.00-18.00

Monday: Closed

Further information:

Address: 2500 Esztergom, Szent István tér 1.

Phone number: +36 33/415-986

Web: varmegom.hu

Opening Hours:

Wednesday - Sunday, 10.00 – 17.00

Monday, Tuesday: closed

Tickets

Adults: 900,- HUF/person

Children, retired: 450,- HUF

Further information:

Address: 2500 Esztergom, Mindszenty tér 2.

Phone number: +36 33/413-880

Web: keresztenymuzeum.hu

Opening Hours:

May - October: 9.00-17.00

November – April: 10.00-16.00

Tuesday: Closed.

Tickets

Adults: 700,- HUF/person

Children and adults: 6-26 and under 62 years: 350,- HUF/person

Family ticket:: 1200.- HUF

Further information:

Address: 2500 Esztergom, Kölcsey u. 2..

Phone number: +36 33/500-250

Web: dunamuzeum.hu

Opening Hours:

May - October: 9.00-17.00 (Monday: closed)

November – April: 11.00-15.00 (Monday, Tuesday: closed)

Further information:

Address: 2500 Esztergom Pázmány Péter u. 13.

Phone number: +36 33/412-584

Website: balassamuzeum.hu

Opening Hours:

Monday- Friday: 9.00-21.00

Saturday - Sunday: 15.00-20.00

Further information::

Address:: 2500 Esztergom, Imaház utca 2/a

Phone number: +36 33/313-888, +36 33/501-175

Opening hours:

Wednesday - Sunday: 10.00-18.00

Visitable:

4 April - 31 October

Tickets:

Adults: 800,- HUF/person

Students: 400,- HUF/person

Guided Tour (Hungarian)::3000 HUF – Advance registration is required

Further information:

Address: 2500 Esztergom, Babits Mihály utca 11.

Phone number: +36 33/500-175

Website: balassamuzeum.hu/babitshaz-mihaly-emlekhaz

Opening Hours:

Tuesday - Sunday, 10.00 – 17.00

Tickets:

Adults: 800 HUF

Children/retired: 400 HUF

Group: 6000 HUF, tour guide is included

Further information:

Address: 2500 Esztergom, Berényi Zsigmond u.18.

Phone number: +36 33/315-665

Website: esztergomidzsami.hu

Opening Hours:

Daily: 10:00 – 17:00

Tickets:

Interactive Ticket: 1500,- HUF

Accompaying ticket: 500,- HUF

Family ticket (2 children, 2 adults): 3300,- HUF

Further information:

Address: H-2500 Esztergom, Arany János utca 5.

Phone number: +36 30/229-53-40

Website: geoda.hu

Futher information:

Phone number: +36 30/9415-378, +36 30/2890-379

Website: esztergomivarszinhaz.hu