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Santa Cruz Basilica, Kochi

Santa Cruz Basilica: One of the best places to visit in Kochi

Entry Fee & Ticket

No Entry Fee

Opening Time & Days

Santa Cruz Basilica is open every day for visitors Santa Cruz Basilica opening and closing timing is 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM

Best Time to Visit

January, February March

Place visit with

Family, Married Couples, Friends, Parents, Siblings, Youngsters

Place Type

Churches, Religious Place

Official Info

Website 🔗

Nearest Metro Station

Maharajas College Metro Station

4.7 km away

About Santa Cruz Basilica

The Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica at Fort Kochi, Kochi is one of the nine basilicas in Kerala. It is a place of devotion as well as a center of historical importance, endowed with architectural and artistic grandeur and the colors of the Gothic style.

The foundation stone of the Santa Cruz Church was laid on 3 May 1505, the day of the Feast of the Invention of the Holy Cross, so upon completion the magnificent building was named Santa Cruz.

Architecture of Santa Cruz Basilica

The church has two high peaks that welcome everyone from afar. The exterior is white-washed and surprisingly bright and the interior is pastel-colored. The interior of the church has Gothic style of architecture with massive arches and an awe-inspiring altar.

Interesting facts about Santa Cruz Basilica

The church, which is over 500 years old, has an eventful past before the arrival of the Portuguese in 1500. It was given by the then king of Cochin as a token of gratitude for his help in defeating the Zamorins of Calicut.
During the Feast of the "Invention of the Holy Cross", the foundation stone of this church was laid and upon completion, it was renamed Santa Cruz Cathedral. Later, when the Dutch conquered Cochin.
Santa Cruz Cathedral was used as an armory. However, it was later dissolved after the British took over the city in 1795.
After the destruction of the Santa Cruz Cathedral, this monumental cathedral has an elaborate granite pillar. The column is still placed on the southeast corner of the current basilica.
When Bishop Dom Ju Gomes Ferreira was appointed as the Bishop of Cochin in the year 1887, he took the initiative to rebuild the Santa Cruz Cathedral.

How to reach Santa Cruz Basilica

By Air

International Airport Ernakulam is at Nedumbassery near Aluva, about 22 km from Kochi. From here you can take a cab.

By Rail

The nearest station is at Ernakulam, about 13 km from Fort Kochi. Kochi has 2 stations, Ernakulam Junction and Ernakulam Town.

By Bus

Buses from Ernakulam to Fort Kochi are frequent. The bus ride from Ernakulam town, about 13 km away, takes about an hour. KSRTC Central Bus Station is near to Ernakulam Junction Railway Station.

Santa Cruz Basilica, Bastian St, Fort Nagar, Fort Kochi, Kochi, Kochi on Google Map

Santa Cruz Basilica FAQs:

𝒜. It is located at Bastian St, Fort Nagar, Fort Kochi, Kochi, Kochi.

𝒜. Entry fee and timings information of the Santa Cruz Basilica: Santa Cruz Basilica open 09:00 am to 01:00 pm and 03:00 pm to 05:00 pm, Mass timings Wednesday 06:00 pm and Sunday 05:30pm every day, No entry fee..

𝒜. You should visit Santa Cruz Basilica during January, February March months for best experience.

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Sandhya Mahto

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