The Holy Right Hand (Szent Jobb) is one of Hungary’s most treasured and mysterious relics – the naturally mummified right hand of King St. Stephen, the nation’s first Christian ruler. It’s more than a sacred object: it’s a silent witness to nearly a thousand years of Hungarian history, a story full of adventures, travels, and unexpected twists.

A king’s passing and a monk’s devotion

It all began in the summer of 1038, when King St. Stephen died on August 15, the Feast of the Assumption. He was laid to rest in the grand basilica of Székesfehérvár. But after his death, Hungary faced turbulent years – political unrest and pagan uprisings threatened the fragile Christian kingdom. To protect the king’s remains from possible desecration, the clergy secretly moved his embalmed body to a hidden chamber beneath the basilica.

It was during this time that Stephen’s intact right hand was separated from the body. People believed it had miraculous powers, and it was placed in the basilica’s treasury for safekeeping. The relic was guarded by a Benedictine monk named Mercurius, who later removed it from Székesfehérvár and hid it on his estate in Bihar County. According to legend, he did this on the instruction of an angel in a dream.

When King St. Ladislaus learned of the relic’s location, he forgave Mercurius and built an abbey at the site – the place now known as Szentjobb (Sâniob in today’s Romania). For nearly four centuries, the Holy Right Hand remained there, cared for first by Benedictine, later by Pauline monks. Pilgrims came from all over the region to venerate it, and its fame grew.

Travels across Europe

From there, the Holy Right Hand’s journey became a saga. In the late Middle Ages it was moved to Székesfehérvár, then during the Ottoman occupation it travelled to Bosnia. In the late 16th century, it reached Dubrovnik, where Dominican monks kept it safe for almost two hundred years. In 1771, after lengthy negotiations, Queen Maria Theresa succeeded in bringing it back to Hungary. She ordered it to be placed in Buda, entrusted it to the care of the Sisters of Loreto, and declared that August 20 – St. Stephen’s Day – should be celebrated nationwide.

The relic’s 19th-century history was calmer, though it still changed guardians a few times, moving between religious orders and the archdiocese. In the early 20th century, it was placed in the Zsigmond Chapel of the Buda Castle. But World War II brought fresh danger. As Soviet forces advanced, the Holy Right Hand, along with the Hungarian Crown Jewels, was smuggled out of Budapest and hidden in a cave in Austria. American forces eventually discovered it and returned it to Hungary in August 1945 – just in time for the St. Stephen’s Day celebrations.

During the communist era, religious processions were banned. For years, the Holy Right Hand was locked away, brought out only on rare occasions. It wasn’t until the 1980s that it returned to public view. Since 1987, it has been displayed in St. Stephen’s Basilica in Budapest, in a special case that allows visitors to see it up close.

How to see the Holy Right Hand

You can visit the Holy Right Hand in St. Stephen’s Basilica in the heart of Budapest. It’s kept in a beautiful neo-Gothic reliquary, crafted in 1862, and displayed near the Nagyboldogasszony altar. The basilica is generally open daily from morning until early evening, and there is a small entry fee for certain exhibition areas.

Every year on August 20, the relic leaves its glass reliquary for the Holy Right Hand Procession. Streets fill with people, church bells ring, and the relic is carried through the city, a tradition that has survived centuries of change .If you’re lucky enough to be in Budapest on August 20, don’t miss it. The procession is part of the country’s largest national celebration.

Even if you’re not visiting on the holiday, the basilica itself is worth the trip – its grand interior, panoramic dome views and rich history make it one of the city’s top landmarks. And standing before the Holy Right Hand, you’ll be face-to-face with a thousand-year-old piece of history that has endured wars, travels and the passage of time – a rare and unforgettable encounter with Hungary’s first king.

Location: St. Stephen’s Basilica, 1051 Budapest, Szent István tér 1.
Official website: bazilikabudapest.hu
Opening hours: usually 9:00–19:00 (shorter hours on Sundays and holidays – check before visiting).
Admission: entry to the basilica is free, but there is a small fee for the treasury and certain exhibits.
How to get there:
– Metro: M1 – get off at Bajcsy-Zsilinszky road – the basilica is just around the corner. M2 (Red Line) or M3 (Blue Line) – get off at Deák Ferenc square, then walk about 5 minutes.
– Take bus 9 or bus 15, both stop near Deák Ferenc square or Arany János street, a short walk from the basilica.
– Tram 2 stops at Széchenyi István square. From there, it’s about a 10-minute walk.
– Driving is possible but not recommended due to traffic and limited parking in the city center. If you do drive, look for nearby underground garages like Szabadság tér Garage or Aranykéz utca Garage. Note: St. Stephen’s Square is pedestrian-only.