Catholic Shrines and Places of Interest in Hungary
Hungary has a long Catholic history dating back to the year 895 AD, when the country was formed from a federation of tribes. One of the most advanced rulers of Hungary….and all of Europe……was Saint Stephen, who ruled between 1000-1038 A.D. His reign was marked by great devotion to God and to ruling his Kingdom with justice. The impact of his life upon the country cannot be under-stated. He decreed that every 10th town in the kingdom should have a church and during his reign he built many monasteries and churches. In addition he placed his whole kingdom under the protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Since his reign, of course, most of the country has been ravaged not only by the Ottoman Turks, but the two world wars of the 20th century, and also by the oppressive rule of Communism. Yet, the Church in Hungary has survived all this.
Now, will the downfall of the Soviet Union and its satellite nations, the country has become one of Eastern Europe’s more popular tourist destinations. Unspoiled and not over-run with tourists, it draws increasing numbers of visitors each year. Its rich Catholic history, tied to St. Stephen, the first Christian king, and sites like St. Stephen’s Basilica in Budapest and the Marian shrine of Máriapócs, draw pilgrims. Several cities in Hungary are also popular stops with Danube River cruises.
Due to its very strict immigration policies (Hungary has criminalized assistance to illegal migrants, prohibiting aid, food, and legal support under its new “Stop Soros” law), Hungary has relatively low crime rates, and major cities like Budapest are ranked relatively safe for visitors.
Of course, you should always be vigilant in busy areas such as bars, public transport and markets for pick-pockets and bag snatchers….which is the case in any major city.
Among the many Catholic places of interest in Hungary are the following:
Budapest: Cathedral of Saint Stephen; Matthias Church; Our Lady of Remete; The Cave Church
Esztergom:Cathedral of Esztergom
Gyor: Cathedral of Gyor and Miraculous Image of the Blessed Virgin Mary