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Church · Levuka, Lomaiviti
Igreja do Sagrado Coração (Sacred Heart Church)
Catholic church of the Marist missionaries, founded in 1858, with a neo-Gothic façade and a clock tower that serves as a beacon and strikes the hours twice.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Igreja do Sagrado Coração (Sacred Heart Church)
The Church of the Sacred Heart is on Beach Street in central Levuka and was founded by the Marist missionaries who arrived in 1858. The present building, in neo-Gothic style, is one of the town's landmarks, with a stone façade and a clock tower facing the port.
The tower has a dual function: in addition to the clock, it houses a light that serves as a beacon for boats entering the harbor through the reef passage. The clock has a local peculiarity: it strikes the hours twice, with a one-minute interval, for those who missed it the first time.
The interior is simple, with stained glass and wooden pews, and the church remains active, with sung masses on Sundays. Adjacent are mission-related buildings, such as the former Marist school.
The visit is short and pairs well with a walk along Beach Street and to the Nasova site to the south of town.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
20 to 30 minutes.
Best time
In the morning or late afternoon. On Sunday for the sung mass. Check the times before you go.
How to get there
It is on Beach Street in central Levuka, a few minutes' walk from the accommodations.
Tip
Stay near the tower at the top of the hour to hear the clock strike twice. For mass, wear clothing that covers shoulders and knees.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Igreja do Sagrado Coração (Sacred Heart Church)
Why does the clock strike the hours twice?
It's a local tradition: the clock repeats the hours one minute later, for anyone who didn't count it the first time.
Is the tower a lighthouse?
Yes. The tower's light guides the boats entering the harbor.
When was it founded?
The Marist mission arrived in Levuka in 1858.