SANTA CRUZ CATHEDRAL BASILICA AT KOCHI
ARCHITECTURAL APPRAISAL
CODE - 207
BY
DEEPA THOMAS
(REG.NO. IV-150083)
THE INDIAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS, MUMBAI
DECEMBER 2017
Project title Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica at Kochi
Building photograph
(650x450)
Building typology Historical building
Present use of building Basicilica
Address/Location Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica, Santa Cruz Road,
Fort Nagar, Fort Kochi, Kochi, Kerala
Owner Dioceseof Cochin
Conception year 1505
Completion year 1908
Architectural Style Gothic Architecture
Architect Francisco de Almeida (Founder)
Contractors
Consultants
Cost of Building
Comment
THE INDIAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS
Examination Department,Plot no.105, Sector – 15,
C.B.D Belapur,Navi-Mumbai-400614
Tel no. 022 – 27563901, Tele. Fax – 022 – 25761805
Email- iiaexam.navimumbai@mtnl.net, iia@gmail.com : Web site: www.iia-
india.org
Satement of marks for External Examination of Architectural Appraisal
(part-II)
Name of student……………………………………………………………
Name and designation …………………………………………………….
Contact no. & address …………………………………………………….
Project title…………………………………………………………………
Architectural Appraisal part II Group B subject code – 207
S.No MAXIMUM MARKS AWARDED
MARKS BY JURY
i Introduction and related 30
material for building analysis
ii(a) Analysis of the building 30
ii(b) Power point presentation and 20
verbal communication
iii(a) Report presentation 10
iii(b) Satisfactory answer to queries 10
by jury
Grand Total 100
Signature of External Examiner
SANTA CRUZ CATHEDRAL BASILICA
Place of worship play an important role in all our communities both as Historic
Architectural Landmarks and as visible reminders of our past. These buildings are not
just places for prayer, but serve as social and cultural centres for our communities. the
appearance of these buildings tells us a great deal about our Heritage. Together places
of worship our Churches, Synagogues, Mosques, and sacred spaces form an important
part of our collective History, Architectural, Religious and Social.
The Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica at Fort Kochi is one of the eight Basilicas in
Kerala. Counted as one of the heritage edifices of Kerala, this church is one of the
finest and most impressive churches in India and visited by tourists the whole year
round. It is a place of devotion as well as a centre of historic significance, endowed
with Architectural and Artistic grandeur and colors of the Roman-Gothic and Indo-
Portuguese style.
Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica is noted for its Architecture, and it makes an indelible
impression on the visitors. This Church, apart from being a place of worship, is truly a
work of Art. This is one among the oldest churches in India. The Basilica serves as
the Cathedral church of the Diocese of Cochin. The second oldest Diocese in India.
HISTORY:-
Portuguese missionaries and Santa Cruz Church : 1505 - 1558
The history of Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica begins with the arrival of Portuguese
missionaries along with the second Portuguese fleet under Pedro Álvares Cabral on 24
December 1500. The King Unni Goda Varma Tirumulpadu (Trimumpara Raja ) of
Kingdom of Cochin received them
very warmly. This caused the
Zamorin of Calicut to declare war
against Kingdom of Cochin. But the
Portuguese army under Commander
Dom Afonso de Albuquerque who
reached Cochin in 1503, defeated
the enemies of the King of Cochin
and in return he gave them
permission to build a fort in Kochi.
In 1505, Dom Francisco de Almeida the first Portuguese Viceroy got permission from
the Kochi Raja to build a church edifice using stones and mortar which was unheard
of at that time as the local prejudices were against such a structure for any purpose
other than a royal palace or a temple. The foundation stone of the Santa Cruz church
was laid on 3 May 1505, the feast day of the Invention of the Holy Cross, hence the
magnificent edifice when completed was named Santa Cruz. This church was located
on the eastern side of the present Children’s Park, Fort Cochin. The basilica hosts the
Relic of The Holy Cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ for a long time. This is at the Right
side of the church.
Raising to Cathedral and demolition : 1558 - 1795
In 1558, Pope Paul IV, raised the Santa Cruz Church to the status of a Cathedral along
with the erection of the second diocese in India - Diocese of Cochin
The Dutch who conquered Cochin in 1663, destroyed all Catholic buildings. Only the
St. Francis Church and the Cathedral escaped this fate. The Dutch made the cathedral
their arms storehouse. Later it fell into the hands of the British who demolished it
when they took over Cochin in 1795. One of the decorative granite pillars of the
destroyed Cathedral is still kept as a monument at the southeastern corner of the
present Basilica premises.
Erection of the present day Santa Cruz Basilica : 1886 About 100 years later,
Bishop João Gomes Ferreira, a missionary and the Bishop of Cochin, took initiative to
re-erect the Cathedral and commenced the plan of its construction. But it was the next
Bishop, pt:Mateus de Oliveira Xavier who completed the edifice. The cathedral was
consecrated on 19 November 1905 by Bishop Sebastião José Pereira, Bishop of
Damao. Considering its antiquity, artistic dignity and historical importance, Pope
John Paul II through a special Decree "Constat Sane Templum Sanctae Cruci" of 23
rd August 1984, raised the Santa Cruz Cathedral to the status of Basilica.
LOCATION
Fort Kochi is a
region in the city of
Kochi in the state
of Kerala, India.
And one of the
most recognizable
architectural sites in
Cochin. This is part
of a handful of
water-bound
regions toward the
south-west of the
mainland Kochi and collectively known as Old Kochi or West Kochi. Kochi is
situated at sea mouth of seven Rivers that originated from the Western Ghats.
Fort Cochin in Ernakulam district of Kerala is the very First European town ship in
India.This historic town has a multifarious heritage from Portuguese to British. It was
the obscure fishing village before the Portuguese traders arrived in Cochin in the
beginning of the 16th century. After the Portuguese it was ruled by the Dutch and then
the British. All of them left indelible marks on Fort Cochin Geography and Culture,
and made significant contributions to Art and Architecture. Its old buildings clearly
reveal this deep rooted colonial influence. These include the ‘Santa Cruz Cathedral
Basilica’, St. Francis Church, Dutch Palace, Dutch cemetery, Princess Street and Rose
street with Colonial buildings on each side of the street etc.
Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica is located at K. B Jacob road in Fort Kochi close to St.
Francis Church it is the ‘Capital Church of the Diocese of Cochin. The building is
situated in Fort Nagar. The building is situated to Western side of K.B Jacob Road.
There are many numbers of small shops around this building. The entrance of the
building is from its Eastern side.
Nearest railway station: Ernakulam about 12 km.
Nearest airport : Cochin International Airport, about 45 km.
CLIMATIC CHART
Minimum & Maximum Temperatures
Rain fall in mm
Humidity
Temperature Precipitation
Months Normal Warmest Coldest Normal
January 26.8°C 31.6°C 22.0°C 0
February 27.7°C 32.0°C 23.4°C 0
March 28.9°C 32.7°C 25.0°C 1
April 29.6°C 33.1°C 26.1°C 4
May 29.1°C 32.4°C 25.8°C 10
June 26.7°C 29.4°C 24.0°C 25
Temperature Precipitation
July 26.0°C 28.4°C 23.5°C 25
August 25.9°C 28.3°C 23.5°C 23
September 26.8°C 29.5°C 24.0°C 13
October 27.3°C 30.6°C 24.0°C 11
November 27.5°C 31.3°C 23.6°C 7
December 27.2°C 31.6°C 22.7°C 1
Tabular view for temperature and precipitation per month
Cochin is a seaside town just 10 degrees north of the equator. Hence, it is a
moderately hot and humid place round the year. Kochi’s climate is generally tropical,
with no harsh extremities. Under Köppen's climate classification, the city features
a tropical monsoon climate. Surface temperatures range between 20–35 °C (68–
95 °F). The current record high temperature is 38 °C; the lowest is 17 °C. Heavy rains
accompanied by thunder are common from June to September due to the South-
West monsoon. Light showers are experienced from October to December due to the
North-West monsoon. The average annual rainfall is about 350 cm with an average
132 rainy days annually; the bulk of the rainfall stems from the South-West monsoon.
The winds are moderate, with slight increase during summer and the monsoon
seasons.
• The months June, July, August, September and October have nice weather
with a good average temperature.
• On average, the temperatures are always high.
• A lot of rain (rainy season) falls in the months: May, June, July, August,
September, October and November.
• On average, the warmest month is March.
• On average, the coolest month is September.
• June is the wettest month.
• January is the driest month.
FLOOR PLANS
THE MANUAL DRAWINGS OF CHURCH
FRONT ELEVATION
SIDE ELEVATION
REAR ELEVATION AND SECTION
ACTUAL REAR SIDE ELEVATION
ARCHITECTURE OF THE BASILICA….
Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica is noted for its Architecture with its rich heritage. The
loftiness and huge dimensions of this structure convey a theological message : “For
the Greater Glory of God”
➢ The Architecture of the Basilica is a blend of the Indo-European and the Roman-
Gothic style. A shrine of Fatima Matha is located on the right hand side of the
Basilica. An elaborate Granite pillar of the First Cathedral (near children’s park) is
kept on the south eastern corner of the Basilica.
➢ The interiors of the church are mostly Gothic, with the main altar decorated by the
famous Italian painter Fra Antonio Moscheni, S.J., and his disciple De Gama of
Mangalore. Moscheni has created breathtakingly beautiful paintings on the theme,
‘The Passion and death on the Cross’ in the altar of the Basilica. His imitation of
Da Vinci’s ‘The Last Supper’ is an arresting sight.Unfortunately, Fra Antonio
Moscheni died here on 15 November 1905, four days before the newly built
Church was consecrated. This is one among the three major that Fra Antonio
Moscheni, SJ has done in India. Other works are the Chapel of St. Aloysius
College, Mangalore and Holy name Cathedral, Mumbai.
➢ The bright blue pillars at the entrance and the intricately carved wooden pulpit
also bear testimony to the craftsmanship of those behind the making of the
magnificent monument.
➢ Santa Cruz Basilica is beautified with two lofty spires and a remarkably bright,
white-washed exterior and a pastel- coloured interior. The interior has antique
architecture of medieval period that is overwhelming with its arches and an
amazing altar.
➢ The columns decorated with frescoes and murals, the seven large canvas paintings
on the passion and death on the Cross, especially the painting of the Last Supper,
modelled on the famous painting of Leonardo da Vinci. The paintings that adorn
the ceiling depict scenes from the Via Crucis of Christ.
➢ The walls of the Church have been supported with Fying Buttresses, which is a
specific form of buttressing closely associated with Gothic Church Architecture.
➢ Two arches grouped to form a single arch, which is an element in Gothic
Architecture.
➢ Rose windows - A rose window is often used as a generic term applied to a
circular window but is especially used for those found in churches of the Roman-
Gothic Architectural style.
➢ The Beautiful stained glass windows make both interior and exterior more
colourful and shows the Roman-Gothic and Portuguese influence in the
Architecture. The stained glass windows and intricate wall carvings are other main
attraction of the church that adds grandeur to its beauty.
➢ Each door and window is highlighted with overwhelming arches with an
ornamental keystone on the apex of each arch in Portuguese style.
➢ The interior of Basilica has a blend of Portuguese and Roman-Gothic style
Architecture, with mind blowing arches and an awe-inspiring altar.
➢ Both sides of the Apex of the church are decorated with paintings of the angels,
worrying about the crucifixion of the Jesus Christt and holding every item used on
the cross.
➢ Other than paintings of Jesus Christ’s life, the interior is decorated with vegetative
designs in fresco and plastering.
➢ An unique Architectural element, seen in the interior, is the lobed arches on the
top of the aisle space. It is known as the Moorish arches and were common in
ancient Portuguese churches, but rarely seen in native churches.
➢ Another highlighting fact about this Cathedral is that a part of a rare and precious
relic of Holy Cross of Jesus is kept in this Cathedral, as it holds the name in
Portuguese language.
FINDINGS AND OBSERVATIONS:
Even though it has a very rich history and a unique Architectural style, the
Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica is not well maintained as a heritage monument.
➢ The lack of landscape makes the entry and the appearance unwelcoming.
➢ As a heritage location and a tourist place, a welcoming landscape is very much
needed.
➢ The one and only remains of the First Church, more than 500 year old granite
pillar is kept in the south east corner of the Basilica. But it is not protected
properly and is standing just like an abandoned pillar in the middle of creepers.
Not even a signage, describing the importance of pillar is provided.
➢ The Fatima Shrine outside the Cathedral does not bear any highlighting elements
too. The front platform is covered with truss.
➢ Many hair line cracks are seen in the building, which may affect the stability of
the building in future.
➢ The Frescoes and Murals on the walls and pillars are in half faded stage now.
➢ The interior paintings of Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica are not well known as the
other two works in St. Aloysius College Chapel & Holy Name Cathedral, by Far
Antonio Moscheni, SJ.
➢ His work has been recognised by the postal department of India by releasing a
stamp in his honour on January 12, 2001, depicting one of his paintings in St.
Aloysius College Chapel, Mangalore. In 1999, Indian heritage society - Mumbai
presented the Urban Heritage Award.- 1998 to Holy Name Cathedral, mainly
based on the restoration work done of Fra Antonio Moscheni’s paintings.
➢ Here in Fort Cochin, even the natives are not aware of the value of these paintings
by Fra Antonio Moscheni, SJ.
➢ No adequate lighting is provided inside and outside of Basilica.
➢ The lights inside the Basilica are not enough to highlight the mind blowing
paintings.
➢ Lack of Lighting makes those valuable paintings unimportant.
➢ The present Toilet facilities are in a very pathetic condition which is not
acceptable for an international heritage destination, like Santa Cruz Cathedral
Basilica.
➢ The office for Basilica is working in an old building with faded paintings and
exposed plumbing lines, adjacent to the Basilica.
➢ Drainage lines are now provided in front of the office building without its top
covered.
➢ The main supply of water from the water tank .The pure water is available 24
hours a day. For collecting the waste water from Toilet, there is sewage near the
building. A septic tank is provided near the building to collect the waste from the
toilet. The toilets are clean and hygienic all times.
CONCLUSION
Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica is noted for its Architecture with its rich heritage, and it
makes an indelible impression on the visitors. This Church, apart from being a place
of worship, is truly a work of Art. The loftiness and huge dimensions of this structure
convey a theological message : “For the Greater Glory of God”
