One of the highlights in the Fort Kochi area, the Santa Cruz Basilica was commissioned by Bishop Dom Gomez Vereira in 1887. It replaced the one built by the Portuguese in 1558, which was later destroyed by the British when they took over Kochi in 1795.
The sanctuary features colourful and luxurious Indo-Romano-Rococo style of decoration. The wooden roof has vivid coloured frames of art depicting the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. On each pillar in the sanctuary, there are also smaller frames of art depicting the story of Jesus.