Esztergom, Hungary: Cathedral of Esztergom
About The Cathedral of Esztergom:
Towering over the countryside and the Danube River north of Budapest, and on the border with Slovakia, is the the largest building in Hungary and 18th biggest Church in the world: the Cathedral of Esztergom….officially titled The Primatial Basilica of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Adalbert.
A church was originally built here in the 11th Century under the orders of Saint Stephen, and dedicated to Saint Mary of the Assumption and Saint Adalbert.
The foundation for the present-day Cathedral was laid in 1822. The Basilica was rebuilt in 1856 after having been destroyed by the Turks. The immense interior contains amazing architectural features and artwork. The painting of the Assumption is the largest painting in the world on a single piece of canvas.
The immense space is highlighted by the cupola at the top for a great view. You can make the climb, but it is a bit steep, so be prepared……..whew, from the top you can look across the Danube in to the country of Slovakia.
The organ here is one of the finest in Europe and is the one that Franz Liszt played his own composition at the dedication of the Cathedral in the mid-19th Century, when it replaced the original which the conquering Ottoman Turks had destroyed centuries before.
It is a destination for thousands of pilgrims each year. The Church is open daily…check their website for hours. Masses are held daily. Tours for groups are available for a fee. There is no fee to enter the Liturgical space, but the Cathedral Treasury and Crypt are each open for a small fee and well worth it.
The Treasury has many items that help explain the history of Hungary as well as some excellent samples of vestments and chalices.
The tomb of József Mindszenty:
One of the main sites in the crypt area is the tomb of Cardinal József Mindszenty.József Mindszenty was born on March 29, 1892 in Csehimindszent, Vas County as József Pehm. He was ordained a priest in 1915. From 1944 he was bishop of Veszprém, after that, from August 16, 1945 he was Archbishop of Esztergom.
It was here, in Esztergom, that he was arrested by the Communists in 1948 and later sentenced to life in prison for treason. Having fought against the takeover of the country’s 4800+ Catholic schools, he was considered a grave threat to the authorities. Tortured into giving a false confession, he became a symbol of resistance. Imprisoned, then later released during the 1958 Hungarian uprising, he then took refuge at the U.S. embassy in Budapest, and then for a while in the Vatican, and he finally lived out his life at the Vienna. Upon his death in 1975, his body was returned here. His stand for the Catholic faith was an inspiration to thousands of citizens in this country and, of course, he was vindicated once the Communist empire crumbled.On December 26, 1948, he was arrested and sentenced to life imprisonment in a show trial. After eight years in prison, he is released during the revolution in 1956 . He fled from the invading Soviet troops to the U.S. Embassy in Budapest, where he spent the next fifteen years. He left the country in 1971 and settled in Vienna where he lived until his death in 1975. His ashes are brought home on May 4, 1991.
The inscription on his tombstone:
” Life humbled him – death exalted him. Presbyterian Cardinal of the Holy Roman Church and St. Stephen’s Church on Coelis Hill, Hungary’s last prince primate, archbishop of Esztergom, the most faithful pastor during the persecution was József Mindszenty 1892-1975. He stood firm in the storm of war, was tortured and imprisoned by tyrannical power. He became an exile of his homeland. He was an obedient son of Holy Mother Church. He strengthened the honour of his beloved country until death. He was buried in Mariazell and brought home 16 years after his death. Here he rests in peace.”
Traveling to Esztergom Cathedral in Hungary:
Esztrergom is about 32 miles (52 km) northwest of Budapest, a little over one hour’s drive. There is train service to Esztergom from Budapest Nyugati Station (Located in the North, this is the city’s second-largest main station).
Address: Esztergom, Szent István tér 1, 2500 Hungary.
Phone: +36 33 402 354
Visit the oficial website for the Esztergom Cathedral in Esztergom, Hungary.