Arthunkal Church

Arthunkal Church, also called St. Andrew's Basilica, stands on the coast of Alappuzha and is one of the oldest churches in Kerala. Gothic features combine with Portuguese, Dutch and local influences in its design. The first church is said to have been wooden, and the stone facade dates from 1602. Inside, Rosary Park holds twenty statues depicting the life of Christ.

Many pilgrims come to pray to St. Sebastian for healing. His feast, Arthunkal Perunnal, runs from 10 to 27 January and fills the small coastal town with devotees from across India. The high point is on 20 January, when his statue is carried through the town in a large procession.