On our first outing into Budapest, we stopped for a a coffee and a roll (of course we stopped for food first) and contemplated the Basilica for a while. We decided to get tickets for a visit even though we've been there before. Unlike our previous visits, this day is warm, sunny, and we are early enough to miss the crowds.
It is still an amazing place. With all the gold leaf and imposing style, it is hard to remember that this is a relatively recent construction, dating to about the middle of the 19th century. It feels much older when walking through it.
There are certainly plenty of classical touches. The arches are all round Roman arches. The ceilings are full of roses, those round medallions you see everywhere. And the near Baroque level of ornamentation is clear.
A new addition since our early visit is a reliquary. On display is a hand of St. Stephen himself. If you know what to look for, you can just about see it in this photo but if you don't, don't worry. The small, gray fist is in there even if the reflections make it hard to see. Kinda weird.
While this is overwhelmingly a religious site, there are many reminders of Hungarian history here, most notably St. Stephen himself.
No comments:
Post a Comment
We enjoy hearing from our readers.