Wednesday, 11 September 2013

SANTA CRUZ BASILICA FORT COCHIN, KERALA. INDIA.

SANTA CRUZ BASILICA

Aroma Home Stay takes you to one of the versatile portions of Fort Kochi that is marked by historical edifices and structures; one such inimitable landmark where devotion embraces history, artistry and architectural grandeur is the Santa Cruz Basilica. It is one among the eight Basilicas’ of India and serves as the cathedral church of the Diocese of Cochin, which is the second oldest Diocese of India. This church is counted as one of the heritage edifices of Kerala. Its construction work was started when the first Portuguese viceroy got permission from the Cochin Raja to build a church. The foundation stone was laid on May 3, 1505, the feast day of the invention of the Holy Cross hence the church was named Santa Cruz. The main altar was decorated by the renowned Italian Painter Fr. Antonia Moscheni with frescoes and mural paintings. The seven large canvas paintings one among it is of the ‘Last Supper’ a beautiful reproduction by Leonarda da vinci are a real feast for the eyes. The painting in the ceiling of the church depicts scenes from via crucis of Christ. Another attraction of the church is the stained windows. The style of architecture is Gothic with overwhelming arches. The festal celebrations in Santa Cruz Basilica ate held on September 14 as the Titular Feast, then on the 1st Sunday of October is the Feast of Our Lady of Rosary this feast is celebrated with grand colorful procession and the Feast of Our Lady of Fathima starts on the 26th of December the very next day after Christmas and concludes on 31st evening the last day of the year with a solemn procession followed by drummers (chenda mellam) and a brilliant display of fireworks. This church is one of the prime attractions in Fort Cochin, Kerala, India.

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