Bells

All but one of the bells in the Basilica fell victim to the vicissitudes of the war. The Holy Virgin Bell, cast in the bell-foundry of Ferenc Walser in 1863 was the very first one placed in the north-western tower. Due to its peculiar sounding and composition of material, it could escape requisition on the strength of a clemency plea. The bells dragged off were replaced with ones produced by the Perner Company of Passau as a free-will offering of German Catholics as well as the Rotary Club between 1990 and 1993. At present, the two towers of the Basilica make a home for six bells altogether, with the largest one in Hungary among them. Blessed and given the name of St. Stephen, weighing 9250 kg and occupying the south-western tower, it was cast in 1990. It tolls but on special occasions such as the St. Stephen Procession of August 20 accompanied by its deep, bass boom. The 5 bells of the north-western tower hang on the original cast-iron support and peal by turns. The Holy Virgin Bell weighs 3100 kg while the St. Henry, the Blessed Gisela, the St. Imre and the St. Erzsébet Bells weigh 2150, 1200, 750 and 500 kg, respectively.