SANTA CRUZ CATHEDRAL BASILICA

The original Portuguese church was built in 1505 (its 500th anniversary was celebrated in 2005), but it was destroyed by the British when they captured Kochi in 1785. Its reconstruction began in 1887 and it was consecrated in 1905. The cathedral is in Baroque style and also incorporates Gothic elements. In 1984, it was proclaimed a basilica by Pope John Paul II. The interior paintings illustrating the life of Christ have beautiful pastel tones.