Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica - 2 Oldest Diocese of India

The Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica, which is more than 500 years old, has an eventful past going back to the arrival of the Portuguese in 1500. As a token of gratitude for the help they rendered in defeating the Zamorins of Calicut, the erstwhile king of Cochin gave a piece of land to the Portuguese to set up a fort. Later in 1505, permission was granted to the first Portuguese viceroy Dom Francisco de Almeida to build the church. In 1558, Pope Paul IV honoured the church to the status of a cathedral. However, the Dutch conquered Cochin in 1663 and demolished all Catholic buildings. Luckily, this church was fortunate enough to escape the demolition as the Dutch used it as their alms storehouse. Later in 1795, when Cochin fell into the hands of the British, they demolished it.

The architecture of the Cathedral reflects the influence of the Gothic and Indo-European style. This Basilica is beautified with two lofty spires, greeting all even from a distance. Its exterior is white washed and amazingly vivid while the interior is colored in pastel. The interior has antique architecture of the medieval period that is overwhelming with its arches. The seven huge canvas paintings with an attractive reproduction of the 'Last Supper' by Leonardo da Vinci are a real retreat to the visitors. Looking at the ceiling, it is beautifully adorned with paintings showing the scenes from the Via Crucis of Christ. The stained glass windows and intricate wall carvings are another main attraction of the church that adds grandeur to its beauty.