Church of Saint Francis
Church of Saint Francis
Church of Saint Francis
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.0
1,056 reviews
Excellent
247
Very good
478
Average
295
Poor
29
Terrible
7
podrozniczka60
New Jersey14,747 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
The church is open in spite of ongoing renovations. This church was founded by the Portuguese, later Dutch took over destroying all the Catholic paintings and decorations. Subsequently British took over . And now this is governed by the Church of Southern India. The construction temporarily brought in some chaos. The original tomb of Vasco da Gama is here. The remains were later taken back to his Portuguese homeland.
Written 15 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robert O
Rotterdam, The Netherlands3,656 contributions
Jan 2023
Originally built as a wooden structure in 1500. The stone building dates from 1516, but it has been upgraded many times through the centuries. After India established independence and eventually the Portuguese lost control of Cochin, maintenance has deteriorated. After all, the church was seen as a symbol of colonial power.
Note Christianity arrived in South India much earlier than in Western Europe. St. Thomas made his journey to the Malabar coast during the first century AD. Roughly 1400 years later Vasco da Gama arrived and in his wake the Franciscan friars who founded the church.
Note Christianity arrived in South India much earlier than in Western Europe. St. Thomas made his journey to the Malabar coast during the first century AD. Roughly 1400 years later Vasco da Gama arrived and in his wake the Franciscan friars who founded the church.
Written 3 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LadyGolfer60
34 contributions
Feb 2023
A must visit place for those interested in the Portugese in India as Vasco da Gama was buried here till his remains were moved to Lisbon. They also have the 'Punkhas', hanging above the pews: a rare sight these days as the 'punkhawallahs' don't exist anymore!
Written 5 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Akshaya S
Noida, India293 contributions
Jan 2023
Read a lot about this one before the visit but it did not turn out to be too good from architecture and maintainance point of view. Maybe, it has seen its golden days and is in need for better upkeep.
Written 31 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
abrahamsuji
Bangalore District, India408 contributions
Jan 2023 • Family
Divine experience. Vasco da Gama is entombed here. Easy access. Old world ambience is nostalgic. Part of the heritage of Kochi.
Written 29 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
poojathakur13
Mumbai, India195 contributions
Jan 2023 • Family
It's a must visit to see the grave of Vasco da Gama. It needs renovation urgently as it looks very unkept. The architecture is beautiful.
Written 21 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dillsefoodie
Bengaluru, India1,300 contributions
Aug 2022 • Solo
Kochi is famous for some of it's beautiful churches which I got a chance to visit during my trip. This church is one of them . St. Francis Church is the one where Vasco Da Gama was buried first before his body was moved. The church has a really nice architecture.
Written 24 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vikas Singh
Hyderabad, India4,039 contributions
Dec 2021
It started as a small church dedicated to St. Bartholomew. It was a wooden structure built by the five friars who accompanied Francisco de Albuquerque to Cochin in 1503. A. Sreedhara Menon, State Editor, Kerala Gazeteers, records that on May 3, 1506, the Portuguese Viceroy Almeida was permitted by the Maharaja of Cochin to create a new city of mortar and stone and ‘above all roofed with tiles – a privilege hitherto exclusively confined to the local prince and the temples in which he did puja.’ The mendicant order of the Franciscans raised the present edifice and completed it about the year 1516 and dedicated and dedicated to the patron saint of Portugal, Santo Antonio, hence named Santo Antonio Church. From 1510-1662 the church was officially called the Conventional Church of the Order of St. Francis of Assisi by the Portuguese.
The church witnessed various European invasions and during the Dutch invasion of Kochi in 1663, it came under their possession. They converted it into their church by placing their communion table and rostrum furniture. They also did some restoration work in 1779 and constructed a Dutch cemetery adjacent to the church.
In 1804, the Dutch surrendered the church to the Anglican Church following the British invasion of Kochi in 1795. After the advent of the British, it was the Government Protestant Church from 1819-46. However, it was only after the substantial restoration and renovation carried out by the British in 1886-87 that this edifice became known as St. Francis Church.
The Church of South India (CSI) took over the administration and management of the church in 1949. Today, the church is under the control of the Archaeological Survey of India.
The Church is closed for visitors during service hours. Mon-Fri tourists can visit from 9-5 pm. On Saturday the Church is open for visitors 9-1 pm and on Sunday from 1-5 pm. Photography is allowed and there are no entrance fees.
The church witnessed various European invasions and during the Dutch invasion of Kochi in 1663, it came under their possession. They converted it into their church by placing their communion table and rostrum furniture. They also did some restoration work in 1779 and constructed a Dutch cemetery adjacent to the church.
In 1804, the Dutch surrendered the church to the Anglican Church following the British invasion of Kochi in 1795. After the advent of the British, it was the Government Protestant Church from 1819-46. However, it was only after the substantial restoration and renovation carried out by the British in 1886-87 that this edifice became known as St. Francis Church.
The Church of South India (CSI) took over the administration and management of the church in 1949. Today, the church is under the control of the Archaeological Survey of India.
The Church is closed for visitors during service hours. Mon-Fri tourists can visit from 9-5 pm. On Saturday the Church is open for visitors 9-1 pm and on Sunday from 1-5 pm. Photography is allowed and there are no entrance fees.
Written 26 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NIRMAL D
Bangalore District, India468 contributions
Nov 2020
The place is well maintained. Good for a one time visit. It holds a nice place in history. Better to combine with visit to fortkochi beach. Max one houre or 15 min to have a quick look
Written 27 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jagriti K
Bangalore District, India225 contributions
Sep 2021 • Solo
This is one of the first churches in this part of India. Vasco de gama is buried here. There is Dutch and portugese history. It needs about 20-30 mins Max.
Written 23 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Church of Saint Francis, Kochi (Cochin)
Frequently Asked Questions about Church of Saint Francis
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