Museums and Churches in Tamil Nadu

Government Museum Complex

It is situated in Pantheon road. This is not for its exquisite collection of more than 2000 Indian bronzes and Amaravathi marbles. Three great buildings of architectural value - the Museum Theatre, the extension hall and the Connemara Public Library are in this complex. The present Museum has several sections, four galleries- Hindu sculpture gallery, the Amaravathi gallery, the Bronze gallery and the National art gallery constitute the main attractions. Visit : Tuesday to Saturday from 0930 to 1700.

Fort Museum
It is at Fort St. George. Museum has 10 rooms displaying the documents of Indian History. The old uniforms, coins, padlocks, old prints and palanquins are displayed here. The banquet hall upstairs has a collection of paintings of the governors and officials of the British regime. Timing : Saturday to Thursday from 1000 to1700.

Churches

St. Mary’s Church
The church is at Fort St. George. Entry - free. The oldest masonry church was consecrated in 1680. It has a building with its three arched aisles and bomb-proof roof. The marriage of Governor Elihu Yale (of Yale University fame) was the first to be performed at this church.

St. George’s Cathedral
It is at 222 Cathedral road. Visit : Daily 0800 to 1800. It is a white colonial church, with a beautiful garden. It is the headquarters of the church of South India. It has a 130 feet spire with its interior very light and airy with stucco walls. The decorated roof and many fascinating tablets and tombs add to beauty of the spire.

Basilica of San thome
This Cathedral is at the end of Kutchery Road, Mylapore. It is believed that the Apostle Saint Thomas lived his last years in South India. This Cathedral was originally built in 1504. It was rebuilt in 1890 with a 180 ft basilica. It is believed that St. Thoma’s body was entombed inside this neo-Gothic structure.

Church of Our Lady of Expectation
The church is at Saint Thomas Mount, Alandur. Visit : Open for 24 hrs. There are about 130 granite steps, which leads to the church. It was built in 1547. From the church yard we can see the entire city of Madras. It is believed that the Apostle St. Thomas was martyred while praying in front of a cross engraved in the natural stone base.