Esztergom Basilica

The Primatial Basilica of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St Adalbert (Hungarian: Nagyboldogasszony és Szent Adalbert prímási főszékesegyház), also known as the Basilica of Esztergom (Hungarian: Esztergomi bazilika), is an ecclesiastic basilica in Esztergom, Hungary, the mother church of the Archdiocese of Esztergom-Budapest, and the seat of the Catholic Church in Hungary.

The huge crypt, built in Old Egyptian style in 1831, is today the resting place of late archbishops, among others, József Mindszenty, famous for his opposition to both Nazi and Communist rule.

However, in 1304, Wenceslaus III, a probable candidate for the Hungarian throne, sacked the castle and the church.

The archbishops of the 14th and 15th century made the church more ornate and added a huge library, the second most significant one in the country.

In 1543, following its capture by the Ottomans during a series of wars with the Habsburg monarchy, the cathedral's sanctuary was demolished and the remainder of the building used as a mosque.

Under archbishop János Scitovszky, the upper church was completed and dedicated on August 31, 1856 in the presence of Emperor Franz Joseph.

The 1856 consecration ceremonies featured the premiere of the Missa solennis zur Einweihung der Basilika in Gran (Gran Mass), composed and conducted by Franz Liszt, and featuring the organist Alexander Winterberger.

[5] The altarpiece (13.5 × 6.6 metres) by Girolamo Michelangelo Grigoletti, depicts the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Pope John Paul II used the Suki chalice for the Holy Mass, when he visited Esztergom in 1991.

In 1823, the chapel was carefully disassembled (into about 1,600 pieces) and moved 20 metres away from its original location and attached to the new basilica.

View of the cathedral from St. Thomas hill
The organ in Esztergom Basilica