St. Lucia's Cathedral Colombo

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Tags : Church & Cathedral

Timings : 5:30 AM to 12:00 Noon & 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM

Entry Fee : Free

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St. Lucia's Cathedral, Colombo Overview

St. Lucia’s Cathedral is named after the saint martyr St. Lucia who is considered the protector of those with eye troubles in Colombo. Iy was first established in 1760 and exhibited beautiful architecture of the Gothic style. The cathedral has a rich culture and heritage, which makes it a popular place in Colombo.

The St. Lucia’s Cathedral church is the oldest Parish church in Sri Lanka and is considered the seat of the Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Colombo. The cathedral is a massive structure that exhibits hallmarks of the Renaissance style. The characteristic features include seven statues, beautiful wooden carvings, and intricate glass-stained windows with four humongous bells. The highlight of the building is the 4300-pound bell named Anthony Thomas which was shipped from France and had elaborate carvings of symbols of the floral wreath and holy figures. This massive structure can easily host around 5000 worshippers.

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History of St. Lucia’s Cathedral

The feast of St. Lucy of Sicily falls on December 13 every year and is considered to be a protector against all kinds of eye trouble. Legend says that St Lucy had the most beautiful eyes which she pulled out and gave to an unwelcome suitor who was mesmerized by her beauty. However, later, her eyes were restored to her much more beautiful than what it was before.

The St. Lucia’s Cathedral is almost 110 years old and was built as a small chapel of wood built-in 1760 as an occupation of the Dutch. This small cathedral was later replaced by a more massive shrine made of brick and mortar in the year 1782. 

St. Lucia’s Cathedral became the first church of Sri Lanka after it was detached from the jurisdiction of the Archbishop of Goa. Later a foundation stone was added to the new cathedral building to replace the old one. The main body of the cathedral was completed by the year in December by 1887.

How To Reach St. Lucia's Cathedral

The St. Lucia’s Cathedral is located in the capital city of Colombo and can be easily accessed by hiring a private taxi or a three-wheeler (tuk-tuk). One may also opt for a bus to reach the St. Lucia’s Cathedral.

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