(Hotel
in Kochi, Kerala)
Fort Cochin Hotel Excursions
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Fort Cochin is an excellent blend of traditions with modernity - a perfect reflection of cosmopolitan society of kerala.This place still retains the ambience of the colonial. Here one can see ancient temples,churches and synagogues standing in complete harmony with varying faiths.Innumerable historical monuments are of special interest to archeologists and historians. Some of the main attractions are:
St. Francis Church
At the northern end of the town in close proximity to the Chinese fishing nets along the cost, is the church built by the portughese. St.Francis Church is reputed to the earliest European Christian place of worship in South India. The original structure was made of timber, in 1503 by portughese Franciscan friars; and later reconstructed in stone masonary in 1779 by the protestant Dutch. In 1975, this was converted to the Anglican church by the British. Vasco-da- Gama was buried here in 1524 and the remains were later moved to Libson; though the tombstone still remains.
The present furniture was installed when it was under the Anglican order of worship. Now the church is owned by the church of South India and there is regular worship every Sunday and on commemorative days. On week days it is kept open for visitors and tourists.
Basilica of Santa Cruz
This catholic place of worship lies south of the church of St.Francis. This church was built by the Portuguese and Pope Paul IV elevated it to a cathedral in 1558. In 1795 the British Demolished the original building. A hundred years later in 1887, Bishop Dom Gomez Ferriera commissioned a new building, which was proclaimed as a Basilica in 1984 by Pope John Paul II. Built in the neo-classical style the pulpit is carved on wood. Adjacent to the cathedral is the Bishop House which houses the small Padroado Museum of Kochi’s eclesiastical history.
The Bishop’s House
This mansion with large Gothic arches and pillars was built in 1506 as the residence of the Portuguese Governer, Dom Jos Gomes. The 27th Bishop of the Diocese of Cochin later acquired this building.
Fort Immanuel
The remains of this bastion of the Portuguese in Cochin, can be seen along the beach. The fort built in 1503 was symbolic of the strategic alliance between the Maharajah of Cochin and Ruler of Portugal. The Dutch and subsequently the British destroyed most of the fort’s walls and bastions.
Bastion Bungalow
This Indo-European building of 1667, blends beautifully with the circular structure of the bastion. It requires its location on the site of the Stromberg Bastion. At present the bungalow is the official residence of the sub-collector.(RDO)
Vasco House
The sixteen century house is believed to be the residence of vasco da gama and also in one of the oldest structures of Fort cochin. European glass paned windows with balconycum verandas are characteristics of the European times.
Parade Ground
The Portuguese, the Dutch and the British used his four acre ground for military exercises and in the houses around the ground were defence establishments.
David Hall
The Dutch East India Company built this around 1695 and is named after one of its later occupants David Koder, a jewish businessman. The original association of the hall was with Hendrik Adriaan Van Reed tot Drakstein the famous Dutch commander known for his Hortus Malabaricus-a versatile compilation of the flora of Malabar Coast.
Thakur house
The bungalow was built on the land of the Gelderland Bastion one of the seven bastions of the old Dutch fort. The present owners of the bungalow is the tax trading firm Ram Bahadur Thakur and Co.
Old Harbour House
This old boat club built in 1808 is now owned by Carrit Moran & Co renowned tea brokers and is being used as their residence.
Koder house
The best representation of the Indo European architecture, this grandeur building was constructed by Sammuel S.Koder of the cochin Electric company in 1808. Unique features of the bungalow are the veranda seats at the entrance, floor tiles set in a chess board pattern, carved wood furniture, red colour brick like façade and a wooden bridge leading to a separate building across the street
Delta Study
This heritage bungalow constructed in 1808 is a high school today
Pierce Leslie Bungalow
A representative colonial bungalow of Fort Cochin this structure is a blend of Portuguese, Dutch and native building style. Wood panels make the ceiling of the ground floor. There are arched doorways, carved doors and sprawling rooms. Waterfront verandas are also there. This mansion housed the office of Pierce Leslie &Co. coffee merchants, founded in 1862.
Loafer’s Corner/Princess Street
Loafer’s corner was the traditional meeting place of the jolly makers of the area and offers the best view of the princess street. This is one of the oldest streets of Fort Cochin with European styled houses.
VOC Gate
Built in 1740 this wooden gate facing the Parade Ground has the monogram (VOC) of the Dutch East India Company.
Jew Town
Jewish Families though few in number reside here. This narrow street located between the Dutch Palace and the synagogue is crowded with bungalows built in the Dutch architecture.
The Dutch Cemetery
Dwelling and colonization is to seen on the tombstone. Consecrated in 1724 the cemetery is presently under the church of South India.
The Dutch Cemetery
Dwelling and colonization is to seen on the tombstone. Consecrated in 1724 the cemetery is presently under the church of South India.
Cochin Some other tourist spots around Cochin Jew Town
This was once the spices and choir trading center for the whole India though a lot activities do still go on not to the scale of themed 19th centaury. There a number of antique shops in this area worth taking a look.
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This is situated on Jew Town and built way back in 1568 by the first Jews settlers.This is one of the oldest Synagogues in India. There is still a small population of Jews still staying around this place of worship.
Mattancherry Palace also called Dutch Palce.
This was built by the Portuguese in 1555 and presented to the Maharaj of Cochin as a gesture of Good will.
Kannamali Beach
This south of Fort Cochin and 12KM by road it can be reached in 20 minutes by auto. There are frequent buses to this place from Thoppumpady.
