BASILICA (BAZILIKA)

The Esztergom Basilica, with its official name Nagyboldogasszony és Szent Adalbert-főszékesegyház in Hungarian, is one of the largest religious buildings in the world. The work on the dome - still under renovation as of this writing in early 2023 - was, however, scheduled to be completed during 2023. Its height, from the crypt to the top of the cross, reaches 100 m. After the demolition of what was left of the old St. Adalbert's Cathedral, the foundation stone for the new basilica was laid in 1822. After several interruptions in the work due to the death of the archbishop and the inspector of the works, the consecration of the basilica took place in 1856 (although the construction was far from being completed). Franz Liszt himself conducted the mass he had composed for the ceremony.

The Bakócz Chapel of the basilica, made of red Süttő marble, is one of the most remarkable examples of Hungarian Renaissance architecture.

The treasure (Kincstár) of the basilica constitutes the largest collection of sacred art in the country. One of its most remarkable pieces is the King Mátyás' Calvary, a true masterpiece of goldsmith's art. Amongst the beautiful and elaborate chalices, the Suki chalice, dating from 1440, is worth mentioning. The treasury also contains pectoral crosses of extraordinary size and Baroque richness. In a display case is the drinking horn of King Sigismund, a large buffalo horn 70 cm high, set with chased gold.