Experience Kerala state (India) Like a Local: 14 Hidden tourist churches and monasteries Gems to Discover
Our guide features 14 can’t-miss tourist churches and monasteries in Kerala state (India) for your next adventure. Explore the best of Kerala state (India) with our list of top-rated tourist churches and monasteries. For thrill-seekers, we’ve compiled 14 exciting tourist churches and monasteries. Journey through Kerala state (India) and discover 14 fascinating tourist churches and monasteries with unique stories.
Information about Kerala state (India)
The Indian state of Kerala is located on the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent, and this state is located on the equator line, so it enjoys a tropical atmosphere with monsoon rains and very dense forests, and the vegetation covers nearly 90% of the state’s land, so this state is known in the Indian center as “Paradise on the earth”. And millions of tourists come to this state every year because it is the ideal destination for those looking for relaxation and rest. It is one of the states that has a history full of events, as it attracted merchants and seekers of spices and ivory throughout the ages, and among the civilizations that visited this state there were the Phoenicians, Arabs, Romans, and Chinese, and therefore you will find many monuments and archaeological evidence left by immigrants from those different civilizations. At present, the state is famous for growing tea, rice, bananas, coconuts, rubber and vanilla. It is one of the states with a medium population density compared to other Indian states, with a population of 3.5 million people.
A list of the best Tourist churches and monasteries in Kerala state
Looking for the best tourist churches and monasteries spots in Kerala state (India) ? Our curated list features the most exceptional destinations, meticulously selected by our team, and based on the experiences of fellow travelers. Start planning your next adventure with us.
1- Edappally Church Complex
Edappally Church Complex – It is believed that the church was founded in 593 AD and is considered one of the oldest churches in Kerala. This church was originally built to glorify the Virgin Mary, and was initially called the Church of Marth, then with the passage of centuries and the change of civilizations in the city it became called the Church of Edbali. Every year, a festival is celebrated in this church for nine days as part of St. George’s Day. This church is one of the famous tourist destinations in the city, as it is frequented by locals and tourists, both Christians and non-Christians. It is characterized by its luxurious building, consisting of a beautiful golden dome, and many external altars, as well as many windows that pass daylight into the interior. From the inside, the church’s decor is distinguished by its character that connects the East with the West, as there are European church drawings, as well as many Indian drawings and decorations, and this mixture of cultures makes this church complex a wonderful place worth visiting!
Place address: St. George’s Forane Syro Malabar Church, Palarivattom – Edappally Rd, Ponekkara, Edappally, Kochi, Kerala 682024, India
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2- Vallarpadam Basilica
Vallarpadam Basilica – More than a million Indian Christian pilgrims visit this cathedral every year, and pilgrims come here to seek the blessings of the Virgin Mary. This church is characterized by its majestic architecture in the Gothic style, as there are twin towers, many majestic statues, wonderful marble walls, and others. It is a historical church that has existed in the city since the eighteenth century, specifically since the year 1752, so do not miss the opportunity to visit it!
Place address: National Shrine Basilica of Our Lady of Ransom, Vallarpadam, Kochi, Kerala 682504, India
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3- Our Lady of Dolours Basilica
Our Lady of Dolours Basilica – The Church of Our Lady of Dolores, also known as Puthanpalli, is a Catholic church, and it is the third tallest church in Asia, with majestic marble towers in the luxurious Indian Gothic style. It is a very spacious church that extends over an area of 2,300 square meters, and contains 11 gilded altars and majestic murals of Christ and the Virgin Mary. The church was established by the British colonialists in the year 1814.
Place address: Erinjery Angady, Pallikkulam, Thrissur, Kerala 680001, India
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4- Immaculate Heart of Mary
Immaculate Heart of Mary – The Immaculate Heart of Mary Cathedral also known as Vimalagiri Cathedral or Angatattu Pali in Kottayam is a stunning diocesan cathedral built in Gothic architectural style. It has a spire of 172 feet which is one of the tallest church towers in Kerala. The foundation stone of the cathedral was laid in 1956 and the majestic edifice was completed in 1964.
Place address: Keezhukunnu, Kottayam, Kerala 686002, India
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5- St. Mary’s Orthodox Church
St. Mary’s Orthodox Church – This church is an ancient Syrian Orthodox church located in the beautiful town of Kottayam in Kerala, and is headed by saints from the Catholics of the East. The church is considered one of the oldest churches in the state, as it was established in the year 1579 in the European architectural style. There is a huge garden around the church where visitors can relax and practice yoga and various sports.
Place address: Oppotil junction, Kottayam – Kumarakom Rd, Kummanam, Kottayam, Kerala 686001, India
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6- St. Mary’s Basilica
St. Mary’s Basilica – St. Mary’s Church is one of the oldest churches in India, and the mother church of all the Syriac Catholic churches in the Kerala region. It is believed that the church was founded in the year 427 AD, and throughout history it was rebuilt several times. The church is also distinguished by the fact that the cross on its tower is one of the oldest crosses that survived throughout history, as it dates back to the year 1151. The church has majestic architecture in the Gothic style, so do not miss the opportunity to visit it!
Place address: Champakulam, Kerala 688505, India
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7- Marth Mariam Cathedral Church
Marth Mariam Cathedral Church – The Chaldean Syriac Church or the Cathedral of Marth Maryam is one of the most beautiful churches of the eastern denomination in the state of Kerala, as it was built of luxurious Indian marble, and is decorated from the inside with many historical chandeliers, majestic murals of Christ and the Virgin Mary, and a wonderfully beautiful golden altar. The church dates back to the year 1500, and its outer building has been modified many times over the ages.
Place address: Saint Mar Timotheus, High Rd, South Bazar, Pallikkulam, Thrissur, Kerala 680001, India
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8- St. Euphrasia Tomb Shrine
St. Euphrasia Tomb Shrine – St. Mary’s Monastery is a Roman Catholic monastery located in the town of Uluru, Thrissur, India. It is one of the newest monasteries in the Kerala region, as it was established in the year 1900 AD, and has housed dozens of nuns since that time. Visitors come to visit this monastery because it had a great political influence in the early years of its establishment, and was the seat of the local emperors. The monastery is also distinguished by its magnificent building in the traditional Indian style.
Place address: St. Euphrasia Nagar, High Rd, Ollur, Thrissur, Kerala 680306, India
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9- Mother of God Cathedral
Mother of God Cathedral – An ancient church that has existed in the city since 1513 when the Portuguese signed a treaty with the city’s residents. It was established and designed by Italian architects in the Gothic style. Visitors will find in it the curved arches above the doors and windows, huge columns and majestic drawings of the Virgin Mary and Jesus. This church is considered a testament to sophistication. Italian architects of that time. Do not miss the opportunity to visit it!
Place address: Convent Road, Near District Court Kozhikode, Mananchira, Kozhikode, Kerala 673032, India
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10- St. Thomas Mar Thoma Church
St. Thomas Mar Thoma Church – This church combines in its details two completely contradictory architectural styles, namely the European Gothic style and the Indian Hindu style, and the meeting of these two styles made the building very distinctive, and also made it one of the most visited landmarks in the city of Kasaragod. It is not a huge church, but despite its smallness, it is one of the most important spiritual tourist attractions in the city, so do not miss the opportunity to visit it!
Place address: Kasaragod, Kerala 671121, India
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11- Our Lady of Dolours
Our Lady of Dolours – relatively modern church built in the early nineteenth century, it is the most beautiful church in the city, as it was built in the neo-classical French style, and visitors will find in it towers, windows and arched doors, and inside it they will find amazing statues and drawings of Jesus and the Virgin Mary, a wonderful golden altar and a very beautiful wooden ceiling. It is a very spacious church that can accommodate a large number of worshipers and visitors, so do not miss the opportunity to visit it!
Place address: Railway Station Road, Thayalangadi, Thayalangadi, Kasaragod, Kerala 671121, India
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12- Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica
Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica – stunning historical edifice in the heart of Kochi in Kerala, it is one of the finest and most impressive churches in India, and is visited by tourists from all over the planet for its history and majestic architectural details. The church dates back to 1558 and was built by Portuguese colonialists, but the current building has existed since 1887. The cathedral was built in a way that combines Gothic and Classical architectural styles, so visitors will find Gothic details, towers and statues, and at the same time they will find white marble columns and drop-down chandeliers. Renaissance style.
Place address: Bastian St, Fort Nagar, Fort Kochi, Kochi, Kerala 682001, India
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13- St. Thomas Church
St. Thomas Church – This church is located in an area surrounded by vast green fields, and there is no mention of the period in which it was built in the historical manuscripts, but the style of the church suggests that it was built in the Middle Ages, as there are Gothic details such as statues, tall towers, and colored windows, but not in an exaggerated way. Visitors come to the church to pray and relax in the spiritual atmosphere.
Place address: Opp: Sarada mutt, SN college Jn, Jawahar Nagar, Karbala, Kollam, Kerala 691001, India
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14- St. Francis Church
St. Francis Church – St. Francis Church is one of the oldest European churches in India, built in 1503, and is of great historical importance as it was a silent witness to the European colonial struggle in the Indian subcontinent. Because the Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama, who discovered the sea route from Europe to India, died in Kochi and was buried in the church for 14 years before his body was transferred to Lisbon.
Place address: Saint Francis Church Road Opp, Head Post Office, Fort Kochi, Kochi, Kerala 682001, India
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Conclusion
As your journey through Kerala state (India) comes to an end, we hope you take with you unforgettable memories and experiences that will last a lifetime. This amazing region is home to diverse landscapes, ancient cultures, and welcoming communities that have something special to offer every traveler. Our guide has provided you with the top destinations and hidden gems that make Kerala state (India) such a unique and special place. But, we encourage you to continue to explore this region on your own and uncover new adventures and treasures along the way. As you journey back home, don’t forget to reflect on the moments that made your trip so special and share your experiences with others. Remember to keep the spirit of adventure and curiosity alive in your everyday life and continue to seek out new experiences. We hope our guide has been a valuable resource in planning your trip, and we look forward to hearing about your travels. Safe travels and until next time!