Santa Cruz Basilica was constructed by Francesco de Almeida, the first Portuguese Viceroy, during his visit to Kochi in 1505. In the same year on 3rd May, this cathedral was founded and christened as Santa Cruz Cathedral. This day was celebrated as the feast day of 'the Invention of the Holy Cross', hence on its completion, it was named as Santa Cruz Basilica. Further, in the year 1663, some ugly instances occurred in Kochi.The Dutch captured Kochi and ruined all Catholic establishments except the famous St. Francis Church and Santa Cruz Cathedral. Unfortunately, in the year 1795, it was destroyed when British took over the Kochi city. Only a granite pillar of this grand cathedral was left after the devastation of the Santa Cruz Cathedral, and till date, it is kept in the southeastern corner of the cathedral.Bishop Dom Gomes Ferreira was appointed as the hierarch of Kochi in 1887, after which he rebuilt this cathedral, and it was blessed on November 19, 1902. His efforts came to light during the rule of his successor Dom Mateus Oliveira Xavier. Santa Cruz was stated a Basilica by Pope John Paul II on 23rd August 1984.