St. Mary's Orthodox Church, Kottayam, Orthodox church in Kottayam, India.
Description
St. Mary's Orthodox Church in Kottayam is a church building in India featuring ten granite pillars that support the portico roof and thick stone walls containing numerous oil lamps throughout. The structure displays craftsmanship and religious furnishings in every area.
History
The building was established in 1579 by Portuguese architect Antony and local craftsmen, replacing the original Valiyapally following a congregation division. This founding marked a significant moment in the region's religious history.
Culture
The interior walls display mural paintings showing scenes from Jesus Christ's life, created by foreign artists using natural organic dyes. These artworks communicate religious stories to visitors as they move through the space.
Practical
The building is open to visitors daily from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM and sits about 4 kilometers from downtown Kottayam. The area offers several accommodation options and makes a visit straightforward.
Did you know?
In 1966, Ignatius Yacub III presented the building with the Holy Girdle of St Mary, making it the first Indian church to receive these relics. This treasure attracts pilgrims and religious visitors to this day.
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide. Discover all places nearby (Kottayam district).
Vaikom Temple
22.4 km
Ettumanoor Mahadevar Temple
10.1 km
Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary
10.9 km
Syro-Malabar Catholic Archdiocese of Changanassery
17.3 km
Syro-Malabar Catholic Archeparchy of Kottayam
2.1 km
Mullakkal Temple
21.5 km
Thrikodithanam Mahavishnu Temple
18.6 km
Vazhappally Maha Siva Temple
15.9 km
St. Thomas Cathedral, Pala
22.3 km
Karthyayani Devi Temple, Cherthala
21 km
Velorvattom Sri Mahadeva Temple
22.7 km
Immaculate Heart of Mary Cathedral
3 km
Morkulangara Devi Temple
13.5 km
Neendoor Subrahmanya Swami Temple
9 km
Kaduthuruthy Mahadeva Temple
18.7 km
St. Joseph's Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, Chennamkary
20 km
Puliyannoor Mahadeva Temple
17.6 km
Thaliyil Mahadeva temple
414 m
St. Mary's Church, Vechoor
11.3 km
Parippu Mahadeva Temple
7.6 km
Ernakulam Siva Temple
13.5 km
Maruthorvattom Temple
19.3 km
St. Augustin's Church, Mararikulam
22.6 km
Malarikkal Water Lily field
4.5 km
Benjamin Bailey Museum
930 m
Holy Trinity Cathedral
556 m
Kumarakom Craft Museum
9.6 km
Bay Island Driftwood Museum, Kumarakom
8.8 kmDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes