San Thome Cathedral Basilica
A neo-Gothic cathedral built over the tomb of St. Thomas the Apostle, one of only three basilicas in the world built over an apostolic tomb.
History
The original structure was built by Portuguese explorers in the 16th century over what is believed to be the tomb of St. Thomas the Apostle, who is said to have arrived in India in 52 AD. The British rebuilt the church in neo-Gothic style in 1893. In 1956, Pope Pius XII elevated it to the status of a minor basilica. The underground tomb chapel, accessed via a narrow stairway, is one of the most sacred Christian sites in Asia.
Architecture
The cathedral features a striking white neo-Gothic facade with a central spire rising to 47 metres. The interior has a high vaulted ceiling, stained glass windows depicting the life of Christ and St. Thomas, and a wooden altar. The underground crypt houses the tomb and a small museum with artifacts and relics.
Visiting Information
Located on Santhome High Road along the Marina Beach coast, the cathedral is accessible by bus, MRTS (Luz/Mylapore), and auto-rickshaw. Sunday Mass draws large congregations. The attached museum is worth visiting for its collection of historical artifacts.