The flood in Budapest and the St. Stephan’s Basilica

Budapest experienced its heaviest flood 179 years ago due to the extreme amount of snow during that winter. The snow started melting and the Danube reached its highest level on March 15.
Archduke Joseph, Palatine of Hungary distributed maps for free marking the borders of the flooded areas. Many citizens found shelter in the City Park that was outside the borders.
Others found shelter in a chapel that stood on a small hill where currently the St. Stephan’s Basilica is. These people felt so grateful afterwards that they started collecting donations for the construction of a large and beautiful church. This way the largest church of Budapest is connected to the flood in 1838.