St. Lucia’s Cathedral 🇱🇰

When you visit Kotahena in northeast Colombo, you will discover St. Lucia's Cathedral, the oldest and largest parish cathedral in Sri Lanka and the seat of the Archbishop of Colombo. Resting on an 18,240-square-foot site, this historic house of worship traces its roots to a small 18th-century structure built during Dutch occupation.

Today, you can admire its grand facade supported by massive Ionic columns and adorned with seven statues, all beneath a dome crowned by a cross. Inside, you can walk past intricately carved dark wood confessionals and ornate, detailed statues of saints installed along the aisles. Look for the white marble altars enshrining sacred relics, a circular marble baptismal font carved with cherubs, and vibrant stained glass windows that fill the space with light.

Above the main altar stands a statue of St. Lucy holding her eyes in her palm, while the transept houses a unique dark-skinned Madonna known as 'Our Lady of Kotahena.' If you head up to the choir loft, you will enjoy a majestic view of the sanctuary and Archbishop's episcopal throne, alongside a unique 1934 pipe organ and 'Anthony Thomas,' a massive 4,300-pound bell shipped from Marseilles.

What to see at St. Lucia's Cathedral

• Main altar statue of St. Lucy holding her eyes in the palm of her hand
• 'Anthony Thomas,' a 4,300-pound engraved bell shipped from Marseilles in 1903
• 'Our Lady of Kotahena,' a unique dark-skinned Madonna statue brought to the parish in 1938
• Grand sanctuary view from the choir loft highlighting the Archbishop's episcopal throne
• Detailed saint statues along the aisles, carved wood confessionals, and vibrant stained glass

Visiting tips

Climb the narrow staircase to the choir loft to view the cathedral's 1934 pipe organ, the massive 'Anthony Thomas' bell, and an elevated panoramic sight of the sanctuary below.

How long: 1-2 hours · Best time: Sunlit daytime hours

How to get there & what’s nearby

St. Lucia's Cathedral 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.