Intricately built with human experience, Santa Cruz Basilica church in Fort Kochi is a perfect archetype of worship centre as well as artistic excellence. The walls are embellished with amazing paintings done by an Italian priest Antonio Moscheni in the year 1902, which leaps out at one’s eyes. Apart from the wall paintings, there is a series of seven paintings on the ceiling of the church that depicts the life of Christ. The architecture of this church is a blend of Indo - European styles.
One among the eight basilica churches in the country, Santa Cruz Basilica church in Fort Kochi built in the year 1505 is one of the most beautiful churches in Kerala. Having a very impressive architecture it is endowed with artistic magnificence and gothic style. When asked about the history of the church to Arthur Dennis Fernandez who is a custodian of the church said, "This church was initially built in the year 1498 near the beach side and was called as wooden church. It was then destroyed in the year 1795 during the British - Portugal war. When the Dutch had conquered Cochin in 1665 many catholic buildings were destroyed but St Francis church and Santa Cruz Basilica church were the only two churches that survived." Taking us around and explaining the history of the church, Dennis continued to say, " Before 1983 Bishop Dom John Gomes Peryar went to Europe to initiate the constuction of this church. Earlier it was a cathedral but in the year 1984 it became Basilica. An elaborate granite pillar of this monumental cathedral which was once an arm storehouse for the Dutch, is what remained after the destruction of the Santa Cruz Cathedral by the British in the year 1795." The pillar is still kept outside on the south eastern corner of the present Basilica. Apart from this pillar, another fascinating structure is Our lady of Fatima - the statue of the pilgrim virgin of Fatima which travelled around the world to different churches was finally brought to Kochi by Portuguese in the year 1949.
"I like to come down to Kochi just to sit at these churches and ponder upon things. It’s so peaceful and allows me to forget all my stress. This church especially brings in joy through the paintings done on the walls. They are so catchy,"said Anagha, an art student from Kochi. The paintings of the last supper, the beautiful stained glass windows and the ceilings that are adorned with paintings of scenes from the life of Christ add to the splendour of the artistic work. Another attractive feature is the carved wooden panels and the pulpit of 500 years old of this beautiful church. The last three bishops Dom Jose Bento Martins, a European Bishop, Alexander Edezath and RT Rev Dr Joseph Kureethara, the 33rd bishop of this cathedral are burried here inside.
