Kochi (Cochin)

A vibrant city and an ideal starting point to explore the “God’s own country”, Kerala, Kochi or Cochin is the commercial and industrial capital of Kerala.

Always referred to as the Gateway to Kerala, Kochi is a cosmopolitan city in Kerala with a bustling commercial port. It is among the most important cities on the west coast of India after Mumbai.

Kochi port has always been an important place due to its strategic location and one can see the indelible marks left by Arabs, British, Chinese, Dutch, and Portuguese from time immemorial. World Travel & Tourism Council has rated Cochin among the top three tourist destinations of the world.

The Kochi has some wonderful sites to offer for tourists. They include Fort Kochi, Mattanchery, Ernakulam and many others nearby towns and villages.

This beautiful seaside city is flanked by tourists from all over the world.

Places to see

Jewish Synagogue

Among all the common wealth countries of the world, the Jewish Synagogue, Kochi is the oldest existing synagogue. The prosperous Jewish trading community built it in 1568 AD. It was partially destroyed in the 1962 war. Later it was rebuilt by the Dutch. This speaks for the historical importance of the monument.

As far as the architecture of the Jewish Synagogue in Kochi is concerned, it is wrapped with painted Chinese tiles. None of these tiles resemble the other. In the mid 18th century, the clock tower was attached to the main building of the synagogue. The interior of the Jewish Synagogue at Kochi is adorned with Belgian chandeliers and grand lightings.

The monument of Jewish Synagogue of Kochi is rich enough for alluring tourists. But it has some more important attractive collections. The synagogue still has rolls of Old Testament, old copper plates that have souvenirs and records of the privileges bestowed upon the Rajahs of Kochi. These souvenirs also include beautifully carved silver and golden crowns.

 

Fort Cochin

Earlier, a small fishing village, Fort Cochin area is situated all along the beach. The area has a colorful history and was a big commercial town even for foreigners arriving India for trading. It also became the first European township in India.

A favorite place for local people, Fort Cochin is always buzzing with joy. Peace and tranquillity is a gift of the place for the one strolling along the beach. European style of bungalows and loads of small stalls with sailing ships on the background add charm to this place.

 

Chinese Fishing Nets (Cheenavala)

A hallmark of the Cochin city, "Chinese Fishing Nets" relates to the first traders of Kubalai Khan's empire who came to Cochin port for trading tour and brought the nets from China. The nets were brought between 1350-1450 AD.

The nets are made up of teak wood and big bamboo poles and are placed at "vasco-Da-gama Square" in Fort Cochin area which is in outskirts of the city.

The nets were used for an unusual form of fishing during the high tides. The Chinese fishing nets are very popular among the tourists.

 

Santacruz Basilica, Cathedral Grounds, Fort Kochi

Built in gothic style by the Portuguese in 1502 and the first European Church built in Asia, Santa Cruz Basilica is the oldest church of India.
One of the most famous heritage structures of Cochin, The Basilica is adorned with beautiful paintings on the ceilings and serves as the primary seat of the Kerala state belonging to the Latins.

Some portion of the church was partially destroyed by the British and was later rebuilt by the Bishop of Damao in 1905. Pope John Paul II declared it a Basilica in 1984 through a special decree.

 

Hill Palace Museum

The first heritage museum of Kerala and an Ethno archeological museum, Hill Palace Museum was setup in 1865 on a hillock is spread over 52 acres, adorned with lush green lawns having plants of rare medicinal values, ponds and fountains.

The complex consists of 49 buildings with a traditional architecture and encloses inscriptions, literatures, murals, manuscripts and sculptures belonging to Royal house of Travancore. One can also view ornamented crown made up of gold, precious stones, , epigraphy samples and majestic beds.

Cochin Royal Crown is the main highlight of Hill Palace. Gifted by Portuguese to Veera Kerala Varma on the day of his coronation, it traditionally was never worn by the Maharajas of Kochi and was always kept by them as a testimony.

St. Francis CSI Church

Situated near to the Fort Cochin Beach, it was constructed by Portuguese in 1503. It was a burial place of Vasco da Gama. He was the first European to arrive in India and died in Cochin in 1524. Later, his remains were transferred to Lisbon.

The tombstone of Vasco da Gama is placed inside the church. The church also has the resting place for so many army officials and soldiers from Portugal.

In original, it was dedicated to the patron saint Santo Antonio and was a wooden structure. Cochin Raja permitted the then Portuguese Viceroy, Dom Francisco Almedia to reconstruct the building in 1516 in stone.

 

Wellington Island

Surrounded by backwaters, the beautiful mad made Wellington Island is named after Lord Willindgon, the British Viceroy of India.

It is among the best areas of Cochin which houses big hotels and government buildings.

One will be amazed to see the art of man in creation of such a beautiful Inslan.

 

Mattancherry Palace

Often referred to as Dutch Palace, the Mattancherry Palace was originally built by the Portuguese.
Dutch took it over from the Portuguese in the 17th century and reconstructed it. They gifted it to Raja Veera Kerala Varma of Kochi in 1663.

The palace showcase mural paintings depicting scenes from Indian Epics such as Ramayana, Mahabharata and Hindu legends of that period. The extraordinary art portrayed inside the palace makes it one of the wonders of India.