The Basilica is named after Saint Stephen I, the first King of Hungary, whose preserved right hand is housed in the church. It is the most important church of Hungary, one of the two equally tallest buildings in Budapest, the other being the Parliament Building, and the third highest in Hungary. Its two tall bell towers house six large bells. For fabulous views there is a lookout platform that completely encircles the cupola, accessed by 364 steps, or 2 lifts.
Built in the mid-19th century, although the huge cupola collapsed soon afterwards in 1868 and the restoration from this major damage was not complete until 1890. The interior decorations then took until 1905, when the Basilica was finally dedicated. Further damage during WWII and storm damage in 1982 caused the building to be almost constantly under some reconstruction until 2003.