Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica

Overview

The Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica is one of nine basilicas in India and a monument to the Portuguese colonial legacy in Kochi. Originally built in 1505 by the Portuguese, the current Gothic-style structure was rebuilt in 1902 after the earlier church was demolished by the British.

Highlights

• Painted ceiling: The interior features remarkable ceiling paintings depicting scenes from the life of Christ, created by Italian artist Fra Antonio Moscheni.
• Gothic architecture: The cathedral's pastel-colored Gothic exterior and twin spires are an impressive contrast to the tropical surroundings.
• Stained glass: Seven large stained-glass windows illuminate the nave with colorful biblical scenes.

History

Portuguese Viceroy Francisco de Almeida built the original wooden structure in 1505, elevated to a cathedral in 1558 by Pope Paul IV. When the Dutch conquered Kochi in 1663, they destroyed many Catholic churches but spared this one. The British later demolished it in 1795, and the current structure was completed in 1902 under Bishop D. João Gomes Ferreira.

Visitor Tips

• Sunday mass: Attend a service to experience the cathedral in its liturgical context.
• Photography: The interior paintings are best photographed with a good low-light camera.
• Duration: 30–45 minutes.