The city is one of the principal seaports of the country and is located in the district of Ernakulam, about 220 kilometres (137 mi) north of the state capital, Thiruvananthapuram. Kochi is called the economic capital of Kerala by volume of trade; though, unlike other leading South Indian cities, Kochi has been slow to industrialise. In recent years the city has witnessed heavy investment, thus making it one of the fastest-growing second-tier metro cities in India. Sales tax income generated in the Kochi metropolitan area contributes heavily to state revenue. Major business sectors include gold and textile retailing, seafood and spices exports, information technology (IT), tourism, health services, banking, shipbuilding, and the fishing industry.
S t. Francis Church
Believed to be the oldest church built by the Europeans in India, it is the principal landmark in Fort Kochi. This historic church was constructed around the site of St. Bartholomews, a wooden structure erected by the five Portuguese priests who accompanied Alberqueque to Kochi in 1503. Hitherto confined only to royalty, the singular privilege of building a church with mortar and stone, roofed with tiles, was extended to the Franciscan priests by the Kochi Raja. The fact that the church was also the original burial site of Vasco da Gama before his remains were shipped to Lisbon in Portugal, has added to its historic value. Only his tombstone remains today. Preserved inside the church are several inscriptions on leaves, which shed some light on the life and times of the Portuguese and Dutch settlers. In the interior of the church, a plain arch separates the chancel from the nave. The church was originally dedicated to the patron saint of Portugal, Santo Antonio. Renamed in 1663 as St. Francis, the church was converted to the Protestant denomination by the Dutch. While the Dutch had control over the church, it acquired an imposing gable façade at the entrance. It became an Anglican Church in 1804.
Santa Cruz Basilica
Situated close to the St. Francis Church, this Roman Catholic Cathedral, established in 1557, is a must-see for history buffs. In the 18th century, the British used it as a warehouse. But the church regained some of its lost glory after it was rebuilt in the early 20th century. The pastel interiors have ceilings that are adorned with some of the most exquisite paintings. Its carved wooden panels and pulpit are fine specimens of craftsmanship.
Chinese Fishing Nets
Fishing being an important commercial activity in Kochi, visitors can see large Chinese fishing nets standing out at the mouth of the Kochi harbour. It was the Chinese traders, hailing from the court of Kublai Khan who brought the fixed, cantilevered, Chinese fishing nets to the coast of Kerala. The nets are also strung along the backwaters between Kochi and Kottayam, and between Alappuzha and Kollam. The nets are used mainly during high tide.
Dutch Palace
The credit for constructing this impressive palace around a.d 1555 goes to the Portuguese who presented it to Vira Kerala Verma, the ruler of Kochi, in exchange of trading rights. However, it is popularly known as the Dutch Palace because during their short-lived regime, the Dutch were responsible for renovating the palace. The brilliantly executed mural paintings, depicting scenes from the Puranas (ancient Hindu scriptures) and the two Hindu epics, Mahabharata and the Ramayana, are the highlights of the palace. The tempera style of painting was used in the murals. The coronation of the Raja of Kochi, an event of great significance, was held in the palace. Echoing with tales of ghosts, hidden treasures and secret passages, the spacious palace is sure to capture the imagination of every visitor.
Temples
While a Bhagavati Temple stands in the courtyard of the two storeyed, quadrangular palace, there is another temple complex of Shiva (the Destroyer in the Hindu Holy Trinity of Creator- Preserver- Destroyer) and Vishnu (the Preserver) to the south of the edifice. The palace is built on the lines of traditional Kerala architecture known as nalukettus (four buildings).
Jewish Synagogue
Dating back to 1567, the White Jew’s Synagogue is a major attraction in Kochi. The crowning glory of the Synagogue are the hand-painted, willow-patterned, blue porcelain tiles which were used to pave the floor. Around the mid-18th century, these tiles came all the way from Canton in China with Ezekial Rahabi. The Synagogue features the great scrolls of the Old Testament and the copper plates on which Kochi rulers extended privileges to the Jewish community.
Island Attractions
Clusters of islands on the vast expanse of the Vembanad Lake form the city of Kochi. Set amidst the palm-fringed Bolghatty Island, the Bolghatty Palace is surrounded by large gardens in full bloom. Though it was the Dutch who originally built the palace in 1744, it served as the home of the British Resident at the court of the Kochi Raja. Buckling under economic pressures today, the palace has been converted into a hotel. Lying on the placid blue waters of the Ernakulam Kayal, the man-made Willingdon Island has developed as the hub of one of India’s busiest ports. As there are not many important monuments in the area, tourists can relax and savour the romantic scenery while taking leisurely walks or ferry rides. The Vypeen Island has the impressive Azhikotta Fort. Various temples and churches like the Subromonia Temple, the Pattathankulangara Bhagavathi Temple and one of the oldest Romo-Syrian churches also count among the important tourist destinations in this place. Located on the inshore of the Vypeen Island, Gundu is the smallest of all the islands.
Museums
In deference to its antiquity, Kochi has a number of museums that has chronicled its rich history and culture. The Parishath Thamburan Museum, situated in the Old Durbar Hall, has 19th century oil paintings, old coins and sculptures. The Hill Palace Museum and the Museum of Kerala History too are well-known haunts of tourists.
Bolghatty Palace
Bolghatty Palace is situated in Bolghatty Island a narrow palm-fringed Island easily accessible from the mainland. The Palace was built by the Dutch in 1744. Later, it became the seat of the British Resident and today this has been converted into a hotel run by the KTDC.
Vallarpadam Church
The Basilica of Our Lady of Vallarpadam adds another landmark to its growing reputation with the completion of 20 stations that will depict the 20 mysteries of the rosary. The 20 stations will features the mysteries that are celebrated by Catholics all over the world. These include the Joyous Glorious, Sorrowful Mysteries and the Mysteries of Light that were added to the original by Pope John Paul II. The Vallarpadam Church, which was already a national pilgrim centre, was raised to the status of a Basilica on the basis of a request submitted by Archbishop Daniel Acharuparampil of Varappuzha in December 2003.The Vallarpadam church was bestowed a special status by Pope Leo XIII in 1888. In 1951, it was declared a pilgrim centre.
Hill Palace Museum
Hill Palace Museum is situated 12 km away from Eranakulam on the Eranakulam Chottanikkara route.Different types of sculptures, collection of rare coins,old weapons, manuscripts in ancient scripts and collection from Kochi Royal Family are exhibited here. Tourist may also visit the Deer Park situated there. Horse riding facility is also available. The Parishith Thampuran Musueum situated at the Durbar Hall Ground together with its collection were transferred to Hill Palace Museum in 1997. Timings: 9:00 hrs to 12:30 hrs and 14:00 hrs to 16:30 hrs. Closed on Mondays & National holidays.
Willingdon Island
A man-made island created from the material dredged while deeping Kochi Port. Situated between the main land Emakulam and the old town Mattancherry and separated by the backwaters. Willingdon Island is an important part of Kochi. The Govt. of India Tourist Office, the Southern Naval Command Headquarters, the Seaport, Naval Airport, Railway terminus, Customs House, Kochi Port Office etc are all located in this island.
Museum Of Kerala History
Situated at Edappally 10 km on the National Highway from Eranakulam on the Alwaye route. Presents one hour light and sound spectacles of life-size sculptures in concrete, of the makers of Kerala history, together with the background music and commentary with glimpses of the vastness and diversity of Kerala's history over the centuries. Timings: 10:00, 10:30, 11:00, 11:30 12:00, 14:00, 14:30, 15:00 15:30, 16:00 Closed on Mondays and Public holidays.
M. N. F. Gallery of paintings & Sculptures
The centre for Visual Arts and Gallery Paintings & Sculptures is situated at Edappally about l0km from Emakulam and located next to Museum of Kerala History. It houses about two hundred original paintings of recognized Indian masters, both contemporary and of the past. There is also a large collection of modern sculptures in marble, bronze, granite etc. Timings: 10:00 hrs to 17:00 hrs.
Mangalavanam-" The green lung of Kochi city"
The ecologically sensitive Magalavanam is safely tucked away behind the Ernakulam High Court. This evergreen forest land in the heart of Kochi is a green oasis for many migratory birds as a nesting ground. Visitors to Mangalavanam are captivated by the sheer variety of migratory birds that have nested atop the huge trees. Get a little closer and the birds fly away, leaving behind the eggs and newborns at the mercy of crows and kites. These birds are sensitive to the presence of human beings. Mangalavanam is the only existing green lung in Kochi city, offering a nesting ground for a vast variety of migratory birds and supporting many varieties of mangroves. As a source of oxygen, the rare eco-system in the heart of Kochi city, Mangalavanam has been keeping pollution under check. Thus, it supports to become rich resource for eco-tourism.
Koder House
This magnificent building constructed by Samuel. S. Koder of the Cochin Electric Company in 1808 is a supreme example of transition from colonial to Indo-European Architecture. Features like Veranda Seats at the entrance, floor tiles set in a chess board pattern, red colored brick like façade, carved wood furniture and a wooden bridge connecting to separate structure across the street are unique to this Bungalow.
Vasco House
Believed to have been the residence of Vasco da Gamma, this is one of the oldest Portuguese residence of Fort Cochin. Built in the early 16th century Vasco House sports the typical European glass paned windows and Balcony cum Verandas characteristic of the times.
The United Club
One of the four elite clubs of British Cochin, the United Club today serves two roles- as a class room for the nearby St. Francis Primary School by day and card room for the current listed members by evening. Until 1907 the building housed the offices of Fort Cochin Municipality.
The Bishop’s House
Built in 1506 as the residence of the Portuguese Governor, the Bishop’s House stands on a little hillock near Parade Ground. The façade of the house is characterized by large Gothic Arches and has a circular garden path winding up to the main entrance. The building was acquired by Dome Jos Gomes Ferreira, the 27th Bishop of the Diocese of Cochin whose jurisdiction extended over Burma, Malaya and Ceylon in addition to India. A powerful man for his time.
Fort Immanuel
This bastion of the Portuguese in Cochin was a symbol of the strategic alliance between the Maharajah of Cochin and the Monarch of Portugal, after whom it was named. Built in 1503, the fort was reinforced in 1538. By 1806 the Dutch, and later the British, had destroyed most of the fort walls and its bastions. Today, remains of this once imposing structure can be seen along the beach..
The Dutch Cemetery
The tomb stones here are the most authentic record of the hundreds of Europeans who left their homeland on a mission to expand their colonial empires and changed the course of history of this land. The cemetery was consecrated in 1724 and is today managed by the Church of South India.
Thakur House
This graceful building holds within itself a reflection of the colonial era. The Bungalow was built on the site of the Gelderland Bastion, one of the seven Bastions of the old Dutch fort. Earlier known as Kunal or Hill Bungalow, it was home to the managers of the National Bank of India during the British reign. Today, the Bungalow belongs to Ram Bahadur Thakur and Co., the renowned Tea Trading firm.
David Hall
Though built around 1695 by the Dutch East India Company, David Hall gets its name from one of its later occupants, David Koder, a Jewish business man. The Hall was originally associated with Hendrik Adriaan van Reed tot Drake stein, renowned Dutch commander better known for his 'Hortus Malavaricus', a pioneering compilation of the flora of the Malabar coast.
The Cochin Club
The club, with its impressive library and a collection of sporting trophies, is housed in a beautifully landscaped park. In the early 1900s when the club had just become operational admission was restricted to the British. Today, though the club retains its traditional English ambience, its rules are more liberal and the membership of 250 includes women as well. Strangely enough, alcohol is not served on the premises.
Bastion Bungalow
Built in the Indo-European style way back in 1667, the Bungalow gets its name from its location on the site of the Stromsburg Bastion of the old Dutch fort. The building blends beautifully into the circular structure of the bastion, has a tiled roof and a typical first floor verandah in wood along its front portion. Though it has been said that a network of secret tunnels runs beneath the Bungalow, none have been found. Today, the Bungalow is the official residence of the Sub Collector.
