St Joseph's Cathedral, Hyderabad (must see)

St Joseph's Cathedral is a Roman Catholic Cathedral in Hyderabad. It is the cathedral of the Archdiocese of Hyderabad and one of the most beautiful churches of Hyderabad and Secunderabad cities of Andhra Pradesh, India. Established in 1820, the construction of the present structure began in 1869 when Fr. Antonio Tagliabue PIME, bought an extensive plot of land near Chaderghat, in what is presently called Gunfoundry to build a school, a church and a convent. Pietro Caprotti (Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions), laid its foundation on 18 March 1870, the eve of the Solemnity of St. Joseph. Fr. Luigi Malberti (Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions), took charge in 1872 and completed the main building.

The façade and the bell towers were completed in 1891. The huge bells, imported from Italy, were installed in 1892 AD. The bells are tuned in such a fashion that many hymns can be played on different themes. The centre hall is very big and hence it can accommodate about 500 people at a time for prayers. In the main alcove inside the church, there is an imitation of the famous Pietà by Michelangelo.

Extensive renovation work was performed on the roof and interior of the structure between 2004 and 2008, making it necessary at one point for Mass to be held in the newly constructed multipurpose hall on the cathedral grounds. A beautiful 6-foot-high (1.8 m) granite wainscot has been added to the cathedral sanctuary walls and column bases, and new granite flooring has been added throughout, as well as a new roof, new lighting and electrical fixtures. Much of the artwork, including the beautifully carved marble side altars and marble statues of Mary and St Anthony, an antique European oil painting of the Blessed Mother and Christ Child which was gifted to the cathedral by one of the Nizams, an antique set of the Stations of the Cross in high bas-relief made by European craftsmen, and various other statues, were cleaned and restored at this time.

In December 2007, the cathedral was re-opened for the celebration of Holy Mass during the Christmas celebrations. Extensive construction on the grounds, including the grand entrance stairway from the street to the cathedral, and a large terrace with a multipurpose hall below, was begun in 2001 under the administration of then parish priest, Rev. Fr. T. Lourdu.