Highlights
- One of the best known Catholic churches in Colombo
- Its history goes back to a small chapel near the harbour
- People of all faiths come to pray to St Anthony
- Tuesdays and the June feast draw the biggest crowds
Overview
St Anthony's Shrine in Kochchikade, near Colombo's harbour, is one of the best loved churches in Sri Lanka and a national shrine. People of many faiths, not only Catholics, visit to pray to St Anthony of Padua for help, healing and blessings, and many come especially on Tuesdays, the saint's traditional day.
History
During Dutch rule in the 17th and 18th centuries, Catholic worship was banned. Tradition tells of a Goan priest, often named as Father Antonio, who lived in disguise among the fishing community near Mutwal. When the sea threatened the shore, he is said to have planted a cross on the beach and prayed, and the sea receded. The Dutch authorities, impressed, allowed him to stay. He built a small mud chapel to St Anthony and is believed to be buried there. The chapel was later enlarged. A statue of St Anthony, said to have been brought from Goa in the early 19th century, still stands in the church. The present church was built and later extended in the 19th century.
What you see
- The facade: a white classical front facing the main road.
- The statue of St Anthony: at the entrance, in a raised glass case, where devotees touch the glass and pray.
- Candles and offerings: visitors light candles and make vows. The atmosphere is devout and busy.
- The interior: a large nave with side altars, statues and votive offerings.
Recent history
The church was one of the sites attacked in the Easter Sunday bombings of April 2019. It was restored and reopened later that year.
How long it takes
About thirty minutes.
When to go
Tuesdays are busiest. The feast of St Anthony in June draws large crowds. Mornings are quieter.
Getting there
The shrine is in Kochchikade (Colombo 13), about 10 to 15 minutes by tuk-tuk from Fort or Pettah.
Practical tips
- Expect security checks at the entrance.
- Dress modestly, covering shoulders and knees.
- Avoid photos during services.
Nearby: St Lucia's Cathedral and the streets of Pettah. Join our Pettah walking tour, or see things to do in Colombo.
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