St. Lucia's Cathedral, Colombo

St. Lucia’s Cathedral is the main church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese and one of the largest churches in the country. It is also known as the oldest and largest parish cathedral in Sri Lanka. Construction began in 1873. Regular worship started in 1881, the main building opened in 1887, and the final work was finished around 1902. During major services, the cathedral can hold about 5,000 to 6,000 people.

The building follows European church styles, mainly Venetian Renaissance with some Gothic influence, and is loosely inspired by St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. The wide front features a large central dome, tall side towers, and seven statues. Inside, the long open hall has high ceilings for airflow, with Ionic columns leading to the main altar. Stained-glass windows and statues of saints add detail without making the space feel heavy.

The cathedral is used daily for services, with the largest crowds on Sundays and during festivals such as Christmas and Easter. Inside hangs a large bell called “Anthony Thomas,” weighing about 4,300 pounds. Visitors may enter outside service times but should dress modestly, stay quiet, and behave respectfully.