VSSC Space Museum

The origins of the St Mary Magdalene Church date back to 1544 when it was established as a humble thatched shed by St Francis Xavier. Renamed after St Bartholomew in 1644 and later brought under the jurisdiction of Jesuit priests during Portuguese rule, the church underwent various transformations over the centuries. In 1858, it became part of the newly formed Diocese of Cochin following a Papal decision. The construction of a new church commenced in the early 20th century, with architects and sculptors from Tamil Nadu contributing to its design and construction. However, during this period, an intriguing event occurred when fishermen discovered the statue of St Mary Magdalene washed ashore along with a wooden pole. The discovery led to the renaming of the church, and the statue was blessed and consecrated within its walls, while the pole was erected as a flag mast, marking the beginning of the church's association with St Mary Magdalene.

In the 1960s, Thumba, a small fishing village near Thiruvananthapuram, gained prominence in India's space history. Eminent scientists Dr Homi Bhabha and Prof Vikram Sarabhai identified Thumba as an ideal location for establishing a space research station due to its proximity to the earth's magnetic equator. This strategic location facilitated ionospheric research and atmospheric studies. Notably, the country's first rocket launch, a sounding rocket assembled on the church premises, took place in Thumba on November 21, 1963, marking a significant milestone in India's space exploration journey. In 1985, recognizing the historical significance of the church in India's space endeavors, it was converted into the VSSC Space Museum, which now stands as a testament to the country's achievements in space science and technology, attracting thousands of visitors each month.

Location: Thumpa
Distance from the hotel: 24 km
Distance from the airport: 10 km
Driving time: 30 minutes