Santa Cruz Basilica, Kochi

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.

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.

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Santa Cruz Cathedral was used as an armory. However, it was later dissolved after the British took over the city in 1795.
4. 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.
5. 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.

📅 Last update: 2024-06-22 || ✍ Author: Sandhya Chauhan

Meet Sandhya, exploring India with curiosity and wonder. She shares info and tips in simple language, inviting you to join the journey. She is graduated in tourism and writes about the places of India.