Church of St Stephen the first Martyr

This enormous church is one of the most imposing in Transdanubia. Designed by Jakab Fellner, construction was started in 1774. The wall paintings are the works of Franz Anton Maulbertsch.

The church nave measuring 42 by 22 metres, its steeples rise to a height of 71 metres. The coat of arms of Bishop Esterházy can be seen on the tympanum. A large statue of St Stephen the martyr stands between the two towers of the facade.

The nave is topped by three flat domes which are ornamented by Maulbertsch's frescoes illustrating the life of St Stephen the martyr. The high altar is the work of József Grossmann, while the painting of the altarpiece depicting the stoning of St Stephen is by Hubert Maurer. The Carrara marble statues of the high altar were created by Fülöp Prokop who also carved the original confessional, the baptistry and the pulpit. The gallery and sacristy frescoes are by Maulbertsch. Several members of the Esterházy family and some Pápa citizens were laid to rest in the crypt beneath the great church.

The Roman Catholic parish church was commissioned by Charles Esterházy. Construction was started in 1774 by Jakab Fellner who prepared the plans, working on the church until he died in 1780. After his death József Grossmann assumed the direction of the construction but he also died in 1785. The church was completed in 1786.