Esztergom Basilica rises majestically above the Danube River as Hungary's most important ecclesiastical monument and the seat of the country's Catholic Church. This monumental neoclassical structure, completed in 1869, stands on the sacred ground where King Stephen I established Hungary's first archbishopric in the year 1000 AD. The basilica's massive 72-meter-high dome dominates the surrounding landscape, visible from miles around and offering panoramic views of the Danube Bend from its observation deck.
The interior reveals a breathtaking sacred space that harmoniously blends artistic splendor with spiritual significance. Visitors are immediately struck by the scale of the nave, capable of accommodating over 8,000 worshippers beneath its vaulted ceilings. Michelangelo Grigoletti's monumental altarpiece, depicting the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, commands attention as one of Europe's largest canvas paintings. Remarkably preserved within the newer structure, the 16th-century Bakócz Chapel stands as Hungary's finest Renaissance monument, its red marble columns and intricate carvings showcasing exceptional craftsmanship.
Beyond its architectural grandeur, the basilica serves as a living repository of Hungarian religious history. The crypt contains the tombs of prominent archbishops in striking red marble sarcophagi, while the treasury safeguards priceless medieval liturgical objects. The adjacent Archdiocesan Museum displays an impressive collection of ecclesiastical art spanning centuries. Today, the basilica remains an active center of worship, with daily masses enhanced by the magnificent 85-rank pipe organ. Visitors can attend concerts, climb to the dome's lookout for spectacular views, or simply contemplate in the peaceful atmosphere of this sacred national symbol.
