Close
Search
Close this search box.
Basilica of Saint John
Tripaim

The Basilica of Eger.

On your trip to Eger you cannot miss the tour of the Basilica of Saint John. Marvel at the incredible history of this neoclassical Catholic cathedral and its extraordinary architecture. You are sure to love it!

Table of Contents

Churches in Eger

What is the history of the Basilica of San Juan?

The Basilica of Saint John was built between 1831 and 1837 by Archbishop János László Pyrker, according to the plans of József Hilda. It is the second largest church in Hungary. It is a Catholic temple, which functions as the cathedral of the Archdiocese of Eger.

 

The idea of creating this cathedral arose as the population of the city increased. The original plans that existed in 1727 were changing significantly, since each year there were more people in the town.

 

At the beginning of the 19th century, after several centuries of fighting, the country’s population had grown. So the chief pastors of Eger, who had now received the rank of archbishop, decided to build an even larger cathedral.

 

Finally, the current Basilica of Saint John was built in six years, and consecrated in May 1837.

Tourist attractions of Eger

How is the design of the Basilica of San Juan?

The main sculptor of the Basilica of Saint John was the Italian Marco Casagrande, who carved the main sculpture on the facade, the reliefs inside and the statues of angels.

 

 

The cathedral is a basilica with three naves. In the middle between the nave and the presbytery to the east is the transept.

 

 

The dome is the most striking. It has a luxurious decoration and a height of 40 meters. There are also the two bell towers. The portal in the eastern portico is designed as a Greek temple.

 

 

The monumental entrance to the cathedral is decorated with statues of Saint Stephen, Saint Ladislaus, and Saints Peter and Paul. In addition, the facade is supported by Corinthian columns, which reach a height of 17 meters.

 

 

Opposite the main entrance is the sanctuary, at the western end of the main nave. Besides being surrounded by the episcopal throne, it faces the altar. There it is possible to see the images of Saint Stephen and Saint Ladislaus on the sides.

 

The interior design is still maintained today. The imposing appearance of the basilica makes it perfect to take its place on the high hill.

iNSIDE of the Basilica of SaInT John

What to see and do in the Basilica of Saint John?

When entering the Basilica of Saint John, the great organ with the choir is the first thing that catches your attention. It was built in 1864 and modernized over the years. It is also one of the most important bodies in the entire country.

 

The first remodeling of the organ was due to its structure, then in the sound range and finally by increasing the number of registers. In 1999, another expansion took place. Likewise, the organ of the basilica was modified.

 

On the other hand, it is possible to visit the Chapel of Mary. After the consecration of Eger Cathedral in 1881, on behalf of Grand Duke Miklós Lengyel, the painter Ferenc Szoldatits painted the chapel in a romantic style in honor of the Virgin.

How to get

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *