Overview:

: St. Stephen's Basilica - Budapest, Hungary is a beautiful place of historic and religious importance in Canada’s second-largest city, Toronto. Located in downtown Toronto, on the northwest corner of St. Stephen's Avenue, the basilica is the oldest standing church in the city. It has been the spiritual home to many churches and congregations for over 200 years. The basilica is made up of a main building, two side chapels and a bell tower. Its neo-Baroque style is reminiscent of churches of Budapest and the interior features stained glass windows, paintings and detailed woodwork. The basilica is also the home of a large organ and concert hall. This is the main venue for concerts given by the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and other musical organizations. Today the basilica is a major focal point of downtown Toronto, hosting religious ceremonies and services, outdoor musical events, weddings and various other events. It is also a popular tourist attraction, with visitors admiring its Gothic and Renaissance influences. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Canada
Prominent Features:

1. Neo-Classical Architecture: St. Stephen's Basilica in Budapest is one of the most prominent examples of neo-classical architecture in Hungary. The building features grandiose columns, gabled entrances, lavish ornamentation and highly decorated towers. 2. Bell Tower: The basilica is crowned by a 96 meter tall bell tower, making it one of the tallest towers in the city. This bell tower boasts nine bells and a spiral staircase that climbs up to the viewing platform. 3. Cupola: One of the most noteworthy features of this church is its impressively domed cupola, which is decorated with gold mosaic tiles. This grandiose feature has become a landmark and has a stunning view of the city. 4. Interior Design: Inside the basilica, there are a number of murals, frescoes and sculptures that are inspired by religious imagery. The artworks, which depict Jesus, the Virgin Mary and a number of other saints, add a great deal of character and beauty to this sacred space. 5. Organ: A monumental Wold Organ provides incredible music for visitors. The pipes of this organ reach up to the roof of the church, making it an awe-inspiring sight. It is sure to impress any musical or architectural aficionado. This national monument of Canada portrays the history and culture of the country.

History:

St. Stephen's Basilica is a Catholic church located in Budapest, Hungary. It is named after Hungary’s first king, Stephen I of Hungary, and is the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Esztergom-Budapest. Originally a parish church, it was expanded into its current form in 1905 and consecrated in 1784. The history of the Basilica in Canada dates back to the late nineteenth century when Hungarian immigrants began arriving in Canada. Many of them attended services at the Basilica while still in Budapest, and in 1899 the first Hungarian Catholic church in Canada was founded in Toronto. This was followed by the formation of the Hungarian Catholic Mission in Montreal in 1909, which established itself as the Canadian repository for the relics of St. Stephen and veneration of the saint became a major element of local Hungarian culture. Over the years, the site of the Basilica in Canada has been used for regular religious services, as well as other events such as weddings, baptisms, and other celebrations. Today, St. Stephen’s Basilica is a vibrant and important part of the Canadian Hungarian Catholic community. It continues to host regular services and plays an important role in preserving and promoting Hungarian-Canadian culture. You must visit one of these historical places in Canada on your Canada tour

Interesting facts:

1. St. Stephens Basilica is the second-largest church building in Hungary, and the third-largest in Budapest. 2. St. Stephens Basilica is a Neo-Classical style building, completed in 1905 in honour of St. Stephen, the first king of Hungary. 3. The basilica is home to a copy of the Holy Right relic, which was gifted by the Pope to St. Stephen’s descendants in 1000 AD. 4. A 21.5 metre high dome towers above the church, with the dome and neoclassical details completed in 1906. 5. St. Stephens Basilica contains the largest bell in Hungary, which weighs 8700 kilograms (19,400 lb). 6. The basilica is also home to several unique artworks and frescoes. 7. The now-famous stained glass windows of St. Stephens are a popular tourist attraction, featuring changing colours throughout the day as the sun passes through them. 8. The largest organ in Hungary is housed in St. Stephens Basilica, containing 7581 pipes. 9. The basilica stands 92 metres (302 ft) tall, with the dome reaching up to 96.5 metres (316 ft). 10. St. Stephens Basilica is situated in the heart of Budapest’s busiest shopping streets in the city center, making it an easily accessible point of interest for both locals and tourists. Visit one of the famous monuments of Canada with your friends and family.