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Close to the seashore, the impressive
Basilica is built over the tomb of St.Thomas which contains in it's crypt a small hand
bone of the Apostle and the head of a lance which is said to have been used in the attack
on him.
Between the 14th and 15th centuries,the
beach church fell to ruins and in 1522 the Portugese moved the Apostle's remains to a new
tomb, and built a new church which was given the status of a cathedral in 1606. In 1893
however, this church was also demolished and the present Gothic style cathedral was built
and consecrated in 1896. in 1956, this cathedral was elevated to the status of a Basilica
as a fitting tribute to the martyred St. Thomas.
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