[2025 Bangkok Attraction] Travel Guide for Santa Cruz Church (Updated Mar)

Bangkok is home to many century-old communities, such as the Samphanthawong community (dating back to the 18th century) centered around Chinatown, the Banglamphu community, a gathering place for nobles on the west side of the Grand Palace, and the Talat Noi community, known for its street art and old buildings. But among these communities, the Kudichin community is particularly special. It is dominated by Western culture and has a history of more than 200 years. It is an important mark left by Portuguese immigrants in Bangkok. [History of the Kudichin Community] Portugal was one of the first European countries to establish formal diplomatic and trade relations with Thailand (then Siam), a relationship that began in 1511. At that time, the Portuguese came to Siam as merchants, missionaries, and military advisers. After the Ayutthaya Kingdom was captured by Burma in 1767, King Rama I of Thailand moved the capital to Bangkok and settled some Portuguese in a community along the Chao Phraya River, which is today's Kudichin community. [Recommended Attractions] Santa Cruz Church · Built in the 1770s, it is one of the oldest Catholic churches in Bangkok. The design of the church incorporates Portuguese architectural styles, and although it has been renovated several times, it still retains some of its original features. It is the core landmark of the community and a witness to the history of the Portuguese integrating into Thai society. Baan Kudichin Museum · The museum provides a comprehensive overview of the history of the Portuguese in Bangkok, with sculptures, gardens, traditional houses, and handicrafts. I was attracted by an old wooden piano and couldn't help but play it for a long time. · Featured food: The cafe here offers authentic Portuguese desserts, such as Foi Thong and Portuguese egg tarts, which are worth a try! [Community Experience] Walking through the alleys of the Kudichin community, you can see Jesus paintings and exquisite mailboxes of different styles hanging in every household. The community is full of the atmosphere of the collision of Portuguese and Thai cultures, quiet and charming. In addition, there are also Jian An Palace and Guan Di Temple near the community, and visitors can connect these attractions to experience the multiculturalism of the area. It is a place worth spending an afternoon exploring.

Santa Cruz Church is a church of the Portuguese Christian community. It was built on the land that King Taksin the Great gave to Father Gor in 1769. The current church is the third church built in 1913 by Father Gulielmo Guin da Cruz to replace the original church that had deteriorated. Construction began in 1913 and was completed and consecrated on September 17, 1916. Artistic characteristics Santa Cruz Church faces the Chao Phraya River. The plan of the church is a rectangle with a hexagonal eaves. The building is in the Renaissance Revival style. The roof is made of wood and tiled. The front has three doorways. The roof is arched and decorated with round windows with a rose petal pattern. In the center is a tall bell tower with an oval dome. The top is a cross. The eaves are hexagonal with a hip roof and tiled roof. Inside, there is a lofty ceiling filled with star-shaped ceiling patterns in square spaces. Inside, there is a wooden cross. Behind is a classic gable roof decorated with Corinthian stucco. #placestovisitnearbangkok#centralregionteam

I was surprised with this hidden gem in Bangkok. I was recommended by a friend of mine to visit this area which has a lot of Portuguese influence. Starting with the Santa Cruz Church( I went on a Saturday morning and it was closed but you can appreciate it from the outside-it absolutely amazing). Then I found a little museum ( free entrance) where they explained the history what Portugal brought to Thailand. Really nice 😊 I ended up buying a Thai dessert influenced by Portuguese dessert- it tasted like ladyfinger biscuits. Really yummy 🤤 If you’re planning to visit Bangkok, you should add this place to your list. 📍Address for the church- 112 Soi Kudeejeen, Wat Kanlaya, Thon Buri, Bangkok 10600, Thailand 📍Address for the Thai dessert: Thanusingha~ธนูสิงห์ ขนมฝรั่งกุฎีจีน #thailand #bangkok

#Tourist attraction bundle Chill out check-in @ Chao Phraya River, Thonburi side Siriraj-Saphan Phut 🚐 Take bus no. 57 and walk 📍 Start from Wat Rakhang, end at Saphan Phut 📍 Wat Rakhang Khositaram Worawihan 📸 Worship the smiling Buddha, Somdej Toh Phromrangsi, large ancient bell 📍 Wat Arun Ratchawararam Worawihan 📸 Prang of Wat Arun, giant guarding the door of the ordination hall 📍 Wat Kalayanamit 📸 Worship Phra Phuttha Trairattanayok or Luang Pho To Sampokong 📍 Kian An Keng Shrine 📸 Ancient shrine over a hundred years old, beautiful carvings, no photography allowed inside 📍 Wat Santa Cruz 📸 Orange-pink church with Renaissance architecture 📍Phuttayodfa Chulalok Bridge 📸 Steel structure bridge across the Chao Phraya River 🕰️ Takes about half a day

#Travel along the electric train From MRT Itsaraphap Station, take Exit 2 and walk towards Saphan Phut to the Chao Phraya River. Then walk to the left along the Chao Phraya River. In less than 10 minutes, you will reach Santa Cruz Church. .. Santa Cruz Church or Kudi Chin Temple is a Roman Catholic church located on the banks of the Chao Phraya River in Soi Kudi Chin, Soi Arun Amarin 4 (Thanon Thetsaban Sai 1), Arun Amarin Road, Wat Kanlaya Subdistrict, Thon Buri District, Bangkok. .. The current church is the third building built to replace the original church that was very narrow and dilapidated. With Father Gulielmo Guin da Cruz as the supervisor of the construction in 1916 (during the reign of King Rama VI) and received a major renovation in 1996 with Father Suang Sura Srang as the initiator for further preservation. .. Currently, this church is 108 years old. #mrt Itsaraphap #Santa Cruz Church

The Santa Cruz church represents the catholic community and the Portuguese who first settled here during King Taksin period when the Thai capital city was relocated from Ayutthaya. There are the regular mass sessions on Mon-Sat at 7pm and Sunday 6, 8:30am and 7pm (in Thai) here if you would like to attend. You can still see the influences of Portuguese life in Bangkok in this small and quaint neighborhood. It’s worth a stroll on a Sunday afternoon. There is also a small museum not far from the church. The building itself is a beautiful example of Baroque-style architecture, featuring intricate carvings, elaborate frescoes, and ornate altars that are truly a feast for the eyes. #churches #bangkok #portuguese