The beautiful town of Kochi, also known by its colonial name Cochin, is a major port city in south-west India. This busy town is found in Kerala and is one of the most important towns on the west coast after Mumbai.
Like most cities in India, Kochi has a rich and interesting history. The Arabs, British, Dutch, Chinese, Italian and Portuguese have all occupied this coastal town! That’s a lot of visitors! Historically, Kochi holds a significant position in the world-trading route and is a big player in the spice trade.
Kochi is home to the oldest European built church in India, St Francis CSI. The Portuguese built the Roman Catholic church in 1516 and the great explorer Vasco Da Gama was even buried there. Forteen years later his body was taken back to Portugal. The history of this church reflects the struggle of colonial power that Kochi experienced. It changed from Portuguese to Dutch hands becoming a Protestant church in 1663 and was the only religious building not destroyed. In 1804 the Dutch surrendered the dilapidated Church to the British, when it became an Anglican church and it was restored. The church finally became a protected monument in 1923!The oldest synagogue in India can also be found in Kochi! It was built in 1568 and is the oldest active synagogue in the Commonwealth of Nations (former colonised countries, includes 53 members)! The Paradesi Synagogue is located in Jew Town, an area covering a quarter of Old Cochin. The floor of the synagogue is covered in 100’s of Chinese porcelain tiles, each one hand painted! Today, the Jewish population has dwindled to 12.
Another must see site of Kochi is the Mattancherry Palace, popularly known as the Dutch Palace. Today it is a portrait gallery housing some of the finest mythological murals in India! The murals mainly depict Hindu temple art but also feature portraits and exhibits of the Kochi Rajas. The building was originally built in 1555 but has gone through numerous restorations, some even just a few years ago!
Kochi is also home to many stately European-influenced mansions and heritage homes. The narrow, paved, winding streets around the fort area and Jew Town make for a lovely stroll while the ancient Chinese fishing nets add to the charming features of this picturesque town.
Our tours ‘Heart of South India’ and ‘Living the Ayurvedic Way South’ both visit this beautiful, historically rich town.
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