magnificent
1 / 10

St. Anthony's Shrine Kochchikade

4.8
·6k reviews·Colombo, Sri Lanka

A 19th-century Catholic shrine in Colombo, famed for a relic of St. Anthony's tongue and a symbol of resilience.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Weekday Mornings

Quieter atmosphere for reflection

CrowdLow
Loading map...
magnificent

St. Anthony's Shrine Kochchikade

Best Time

Weekday Mornings

Quieter atmosphere for reflection

CrowdLow
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A 19th-century Catholic shrine in Colombo, famed for a relic of St. Anthony's tongue and a symbol of resilience.

4.8
(6k reviews)

"A peaceful and sacred place offering quiet strength and hope to all who enter, regardless of background."

Vertical photo
TIP

🚶‍♀️ Best way to arrive

Arriving by foot is recommended due to limited parking. Enjoy the vibrant surroundings of this busy area.

🙏 Dress modestly

Cover shoulders and knees out of respect for this sacred Catholic church.

Third hero image

Quick Facts

Hours

Rating

4.8 · 5,707 reviews

Type

Church

♿ Wheelchair accessible🅿️ Accessible parking

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Shrine of St. Anthony

Shrine of St. Anthony

Main Altar

The heart of the shrine, believed to hold a relic of St. Anthony's tongue, drawing pilgrims seeking blessings and miracles.

Remnants of the 2019 Blast

Remnants of the 2019 Blast

Designated Area

A preserved pockmarked floor serves as a poignant reminder of the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks, highlighting resilience and hope.

Religious Items Shop

Religious Items Shop

Within the Shrine Complex

Find statues, medals, and other devotional items, including Virgin Mary statues, perfect for gifts or personal devotion.

Your AI travel agent

Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you

Start Chatting

Planning Your Visit

Timing Your Visit for Serenity

To experience the profound peace of St. Anthony's Shrine, consider visiting on a weekday morning. This avoids the larger crowds that gather for special devotions, allowing for a more personal and reflective experience. Many visitors find Tuesdays particularly special for St. Anthony's prayers, but weekdays offer a quieter atmosphere.

Respectful Attire and Devotion

As a sacred site, modest dress is appreciated. Visitors often wear clothing that covers shoulders and knees. Many come with a pure heart and true intention to pray, believing in the shrine's power for answered prayers and miracles. Be prepared for tight security, a common measure in busy areas today.

Best Times

When
Weekday Mornings
Why
Quieter atmosphere for reflection
Crowd
Low
When
First Tuesdays
Why
Special devotions for St. Anthony
Crowd
Medium

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

Find out why St. Anthony is famous in Lisbon. St. Anthony of Padua, pray for us.
@franciscanmissionaries
489 likes • 3.2K views

🚶‍♀️ Best way to arrive

Arriving by foot is recommended due to limited parking. Enjoy the vibrant surroundings of this busy area. Reddit

🙏 Dress modestly

Cover shoulders and knees out of respect for this sacred Catholic church. TikTok

Blessing of my Saint Anthony de Padua image at the St. Anthony Shrine, Sampaloc, Manila. Today also is the Feast of the Most Holy Name of Mary. #SaintAnthonyOfPadua #Padova #SanAntonioDePadua #MostHolyNameOfMary #ShrineOfSaintAnthony #Camarero #SantoCollections #SantoCollector #Santoholics #foryourpage #foryoupage #foryou #fyp
@magnificat_mg12
436 likes • 13.5K views
Shrine Church of Saint Anthony of Padua Franciscan Froars. #🙏🙏🙏 #newyork #newyorkcity #manhattan #manhattannewyork #church #romancatholic #romancatholicchurch #newyorkcitynewyork #saintanthony #stanthony #stanthoneyofpadua
@roman.catholic.churches
371 likes • 5.4K views

✨ Seek blessings

Many believe prayers are answered here; visit with a pure heart and true intention. Reddit

🛍️ Religious items available

A shop within the shrine sells religious items, including statues of the Virgin Mary. Reddit

A glimpse of peace at the Maronite Monastery of St. Anthony the Great in Qozhaya Valley. A place of deep history, spirituality, and breathtaking natural beauty. 🙏 The monastery was first founded and occupied by hermits in the beginning of the 4th century AD
@nillasjourney
365 likes • 4.5K views

Tips

from all over the internet

🚶‍♀️ Best way to arrive

Arriving by foot is recommended due to limited parking. Enjoy the vibrant surroundings of this busy area. Reddit

🙏 Dress modestly

Cover shoulders and knees out of respect for this sacred Catholic church. TikTok

✨ Seek blessings

Many believe prayers are answered here; visit with a pure heart and true intention. Reddit

🛍️ Religious items available

A shop within the shrine sells religious items, including statues of the Virgin Mary. Reddit

🛡️ Security is tight

Expect enhanced security measures upon entry, a common practice in busy areas. Reddit

What Travellers Say

4.8
(6k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors consistently describe St. Anthony's Shrine as a peaceful, sacred, and deeply spiritual place that welcomes people of all faiths. It's highly recommended for those seeking blessings, healing, or a quiet space for reflection, with many believing their prayers have been answered here. The shrine's resilience after the 2019 bombings is also a notable aspect.

"A peaceful and sacred place in Colombo, known for its spiritual calm and deep devotion. Welcoming any people of all faiths, it stands as a symbol of faith, healing, and unity,offering quiet strength and hope to all who enter."

Ridma Dilshan

"Highly recommended for anyone looking to deepen their spiritual connection, seek blessings, or simply find a peaceful space to reflect. No matter your background or beliefs, there’s something deeply healing and powerful about St. Anthony’s Shrine."

Chiran Keerthisinghe

"It is a Catholic church in the Archdiocese of Colombo in Sri Lanka. On 21 April 2019, Easter Sunday, the church was one in a series of targets of a string of suicide bomb blasts across Sri Lanka - at least 93 people were killed in the blast. It has been renovated and open to public. It is a popular church in a busy area. Getting there by foot is the best - limited parking. Security is tight nowadays. You can see a preserved pock marked floor area that that was affected by the blast as a reminder. There is a free tour guide of the area but you are expected to donate to the church at the end of the tour. Area inside is mostly level and under cover. Interesting historical place to visit"

s vivekananda

What People Like

Peaceful and sacred atmosphere
Sense of spiritual connection
Welcoming to all faiths

What People Dislike

Limited parking
Tight security (understandable)

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

The shrine is located in a busy area of Colombo. Many visitors find that arriving by foot is the most convenient option due to limited parking availability. Public transport options are also available, but walking allows you to soak in the local atmosphere. Reddit

Parking near St. Anthony's Shrine can be very limited, especially during peak times. It's advisable to plan your transportation accordingly and consider walking or using public transport to avoid any parking hassles. Reddit

Exploring the area on foot is highly recommended. It allows you to appreciate the bustling environment and easily access the shrine without worrying about parking. Reddit

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

Entry to St. Anthony's Shrine is generally free. However, donations are gratefully accepted to support the upkeep of the church and its services. Reddit

The shrine is typically open daily, but specific hours can vary. It's best to visit during daylight hours to experience its full ambiance. Many find weekday mornings to be the most peaceful. Reddit

No, tickets are not required to visit St. Anthony's Shrine. It's an open place of worship, and visitors are welcome to enter freely. Reddit

Yes, as it is a sacred Catholic church, visitors are requested to dress modestly. It's advisable to wear clothing that covers your shoulders and knees out of respect for the religious site. TikTok

Yes, Tuesdays are often considered a special day for St. Anthony's prayers, and many devotees visit on this day. However, the shrine is open for prayer and reflection throughout the week. Reddit

🎫 ✨ Onsite Experience

St. Anthony's Shrine is renowned for its spiritual calm and deep devotion. It's believed to be a place where prayers are answered and miracles occur, drawing people of all faiths seeking peace and blessings. Reddit

Absolutely. The shrine is welcoming to people of all faiths and backgrounds. It stands as a symbol of unity and offers a peaceful space for reflection and spiritual connection to everyone. Reddit

Inside, you'll find the main altar with a relic believed to be part of St. Anthony's tongue. There's also a preserved area showing the pockmarked floor from the 2019 Easter Sunday blasts, serving as a reminder of resilience. Reddit

Free tour guides are sometimes available, with donations expected at the end. These guides can offer insights into the history and significance of the shrine. Reddit

The area inside the shrine is mostly level and under cover, making it generally accessible. Visitors have noted it's a comfortable space to navigate. Reddit

🍽️ 🛍️ Shopping & Dining

St. Anthony's Shrine itself has a shop within its complex that sells religious items, including statues of the Virgin Mary and other devotional objects. Reddit

Being in a busy area of Colombo, there are numerous dining options available near the shrine, ranging from local eateries to more established restaurants. You'll find plenty of choices to suit your taste and budget. Reddit

📸 📸 Photography

While specific rules can vary, it's generally respectful to refrain from taking photos during prayer services or of individuals without their consent. Capturing the architecture and general ambiance might be permissible, but always be mindful of others. TikTok

The exterior architecture of the church and the preserved blast remnants can be significant photographic subjects. The religious items shop also offers unique visual opportunities. Reddit

You may also like

1 of 2