Photo credits: Abhay

The Santa Cruz Basilica is a heritage church in Fort Kochi with a colorful history. Built by the Portuguese in 1505 and elevated by Pope Paul IV to cathedral status in 1558, it was demolished by the British in 1795 when they took over Kochi. Bishop Dom Gomez Ferreira commissioned a new building at the same site in 1887.

In 1984, Pope John Paul II proclaimed the church a Basilica. Santa Cruz has magnificent Indo-European and Gothic architecture, with grand and elaborate use of colors and ornate detailing throughout.

inside of the church