St. Anthony’s Shrine, Kochchikade 🇱🇰

Welcome to St. Anthony's Shrine, a prominent Catholic church located in Kochchikade, Kotahena, Colombo 13. Designated as a national shrine and minor basilica within the Archdiocese of Colombo, this historic Neoclassical site offers travelers a deep dive into local heritage. The shrine traces its origins back to the Dutch colonial period when Catholicism was banned. According to legend, a disguised priest named Fr.

Antonio prayed at the beach to stop coastal erosion, prompting the sea to recede and leading the local fishing community to convert. The Dutch subsequently granted land where Fr. Antonio built a mud brick chapel; today, he is buried within the church. Visitors can admire a structure that was expanded in the 1930s with side wings, a chorister's gallery, a mission house, and a meeting room. Key relics and artifacts await inside: at the entrance, a glass case holds a statue of the saint alongside a special reliquary containing a tiny piece of St.

Anthony's tongue. Additionally, an altar houses a historic statue brought from Goa in 1822. The shrine also stands as a site of solemn remembrance following the tragic 2019 Easter Sunday attack, having been restored by the Sri Lanka Navy.

What to see at St. Anthony's Shrine, Kochchikade

• Designated national shrine and minor basilica built in Neoclassical style
• Reliquary at the entrance housing a tiny piece of St. Anthony's tongue
• Historic statue of St. Anthony brought from Goa in 1822
• Burial site of the shrine's original founder, Fr. Antonio
• Commemorative site restored by the Sri Lanka Navy following the 2019 attacks

Visiting tips

Be sure to stop by the glass case at the church entrance to view the statue of St. Anthony alongside the special reliquary containing a tiny piece of the saint's tongue.

How long: 1-2 hours · Best time: Early morning

How to get there & what’s nearby

St. Anthony's Shrine, Kochchikade is easy to reach on Colombo’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Lotus Tower and Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Colombo travel guide.