Overview

  • Features: Catholic basilica originating from 1506
  • Opening Times: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (Tue-Sat), 10:30 am to 1:00 pm (Sun)
  • Best Time to Visit: Any day except Sunday
  • Duration: 20 to 30 minutes
  • Travelled By: Auto rickshaw
  • Cost: Free
  • Address: Cnr Bastion Street & KB Jacob Road, Kochi, Kerala, India
  • Type: Church

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Summary

Located next to St Francis Church in Fort Kochi, the Santa Cruz Basilica is one of the eight Basilicas in India. This church is one of the finest and most impressive churches in India and visited by tourists the whole year round. It is a place of devotion as well as a centre of historic significance, endowed with architectural and artistic grandeur and colours of the Gothic style.

Santa Cruz Basilica Fort Kochi

 

 

Located next to St Francis Church in Fort Kochi, the Santa Cruz Basilica is one of the eight Basilicas in India. Counted as one of the top heritage buildings of Kerala, this church is one of the finest and most impressive churches in India and visited by tourists the whole year round. It is a place of devotion as well as a centre of historic significance, endowed with architectural and artistic grandeur and colours of the Gothic style.

Built by the Portuguese in 1505, it was elevated to a Cathedral by Pope Paul IV in 1558. It was used by the British in the 18th century and was destroyed in 1795. It was rebuilt in 1905 and was proclaimed a Basilica by Pope John Paul II in 1984.

 

 

The Basilica has two lofty spires and a remarkably bright, white-washed exterior and a striking pastel-coloured interior. There are lovely carved wooden panels and pulpit, and an interesting graveyard. The interiors of the church are mostly Gothic, with the main altar decorated by the famous Italian painter Fra Antonio Moscheni, S.J., and his disciple De Gama of Mangalore. Unfortunately, Fra Antonio Moscheni died here on the 15 November 1905, four days before the newly built Church was consecrated.

 

 

 

The columns are decorated with frescoes and murals, including seven large canvas paintings on the passion and death on the Cross. Especially noteworthy are the painting of the Last Supper, modelled on the famous painting of Leonardo da Vinci, and the beautiful stained glass windows which add to the artistic grandeur of the place. The paintings that adorn the ceiling depict scenes from the Via Crucis of Christ.

 

 

Getting to & from Santa Cruz Basilica

Located next to St Francis Church, the Santa Cruz Basilica is located on the corner of Bastion Street and KB Jacob Road in Fort Kochi. The easiest way to get here is to take an auto rickshaw which will drop you right in front of the Basilica. Buses ply to Fort Kochin bus stand from where it’s a short walk to the Basilica.

 

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