Basilika in Esztergom

The most famous monument of Esztergom is the world-famous basilica. The basilica is 118 m long and 40 m wide, the internal height of the dome is 71.6 m. Its front is decorated with eight 22 m high Corinthian columns. The present basilica, which dominates the city, was initiated in 1822 at the initiative of the Slovak Archbishop Alexander Rudnay. It was solemnly consecrated on August 31, 1856 and fully completed in 1869. It was built according to the model of St. Peter in Rome on the site of the former cathedral church, which was devastated in 1543.

An important part of the complex are two side chapels - Chapel of Sts. Stephen and Bakóczová chapel, which originally related to an old church from the 11th century. The chapel was built between 1506 and 1511. On the first floor of the basilica there is an archbishop's treasury with a collection of medieval and newer sacral objects, including the Renaissance Calvary of King Matej. The Archbishop of Esztergom is buried in a crypt built in ancient Egyptian style under the nave.

Next to the basilica is the entrance to the castle complex. Archaeologists uncovered a part of the medieval royal castle, which was destroyed by the Turks in 1543. The most valuable part of the castle complex is the Romanesque Royal Chapel with a pink window above the entrance. Its vault is one of the oldest works in Central Europe. In the restored palace they placed the Castle Museum with exhibits commemorating the history of the city and its surroundings during the Turkish fighting.