San Thome Basilica
சாந்தோம் பேராலயம்
A white neo-Gothic cathedral on Chennai's shore, built over the tomb traditionally held to be that of Saint Thomas the Apostle. The Portuguese first built a church here in 1523; the present building dates from 1896.
Then & Now
San Thome Basilica through the centuries
2026 Today
A national shrine and a working cathedral, with the tomb chapel and museum below and the beach across the road.
Heritage Passport
Stamp No. 36 ௩௬
In your passport
Be within 500 m of the monument to collect this stamp.
Sign in to collectThe apostle's tomb
An old tradition holds that Thomas, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus, preached in South India and was martyred near Mylapore, then a port town. When the Portuguese arrived in the early 16th century they found a neglected shrine said to be his tomb and built a church over it, consecrated in 1523. Francis Xavier stayed here for some months in 1545, and in 1606 the church became the cathedral of the new Diocese of Mylapore.
Neo-Gothic by the sea
The old church was rebuilt in 1896 in the neo-Gothic style then fashionable in British Madras, and it is this white cathedral with its 45-metre spire that stands on Santhome High Road today. Inside are a teak ceiling, stained glass showing Thomas touching the wounds of the risen Christ, and an old pipe organ. A second, smaller tower marks the position of the tomb, which pilgrims visit in a chapel below the church, alongside a small museum.
A national shrine
Pope Pius XII made the cathedral a minor basilica in 1956, Pope John Paul II prayed here in 1986, and in 2004 India's Catholic bishops declared it a national shrine. It is one of very few churches in the world said to stand over the tomb of an apostle. The Kapaleeshwarar temple is a short walk away, and the beach is just across the road.
Timeline
1523
Portuguese consecrate a church over the traditional tomb
1545
Francis Xavier stays at the church
1606
Becomes the cathedral of the Diocese of Mylapore
1896
Rebuilt in the neo-Gothic style
1956
Raised to a minor basilica
2004
Declared a national shrine
Key Facts
Gallery
Experience in AR
View this heritage site in augmented reality on your phone
Visiting etiquette
- Dress
- Modest clothing is expected inside the cathedral and tomb chapel: shoulders and knees covered. Beachwear is not suitable.
- Footwear
- Footwear can be worn in the cathedral; some visitors remove it at the tomb chapel, so follow the notice there.
- Photography
- Photography without flash is usually allowed outside Mass times. Don't photograph during services or in the tomb chapel if signs ask you not to.
- Entry
- Entry is free and visitors of all faiths are welcome. Large bags may be checked at the gate.
- Timings
- The basilica is open daily; Mass times, including services in Tamil and English, and the opening hours of the tomb chapel and museum are posted at the church and change on feast days.
- Offerings
- No offering is expected. Candles can be lit at the designated stands; donation boxes are inside.
- Behaviour
- Keep silent during Mass and in the tomb chapel, and don't sit in pews marked for worshippers during services. Please don't touch the altar or relics.
Visitor Information
Visiting Hours
Open daily, morning to evening; Mass times and tomb-chapel hours are posted at the church
Best Time to Visit
November to February; Christmas and the feast of St Thomas (3 July)
Location
Open in OpenStreetMapதொட்டனைத் தூறும் மணற்கேணி மாந்தர்க்குக்
கற்றனைத் தூறும் அறிவு.
In sandy soil, when deep you delve, you reach the springs below; The more you learn, the freer streams of wisdom flow.
A kural on learning
Chapter 40 · Learning
Book: Wealth
Thottanaith Thoorum Manarkeni Maandharkkuk / Katranaith Thoorum Arivu
English: G. U. Pope (1886), public domain