Tourist places in and around Kochi
Hill Palace Museum, Tripunithura
Set on top a hillock, this prodigious palace-turned-museum displays 13 categories of exhibits, including paintings, carvings and other royal antiquities donated by the Cochin and Travancore royal families and the Paliam Devaswom. The Heritage Museum, located on the rear side of the palace buildings, familiarises you with the traditional lifestyles of ancient Kerala. As part of the establishment of a mini zoo, a deer park with spotted deer, sambar and peacocks is run by the Society for the Preservation of hill Palace Premises. The museum premise has also been converted into a botanical garden with exotic tropical trees from Central America to Australia.Dutch Palace (Mattancherry)
The Dutch Palace at Mattancherry is renowned for its wall murals depicting scenes from the Ramayana. Fort Kochi, though now in ruins, contains many remains of Indo-European architecture.Cochin-Kochi, Cochin-Kochi Travel, Tourist attractions in Cochin-Kochi, Weekend trips from Cochin-Kochi Excursions, Events in Cochin-Kochi, Festivals in Cochin-Kochi The European have left random imprints in Fort Cochin. The massive buttresses, which are so conspicuous a feature of the place, were put up by the British to protect the houses that had been shaken by the force of an explosion that blew up the cathedral of Santa Cruz. In fact, they themselves had bombarded the church fearing a possible restoration of Dutch supremacy in Cochin. In spite of it all, the Santa Cruz Basilica still stands in a spirit of sturdy resistance.
The Mattanchery Dutch Palace was built by the Portuguese as a gift for the local king. But the Dutch repaired it, and the name just stuck. Now a museum, the palace, like many others in Kerala, boasts of a hall full of murals narrating stories from the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. There are also old colonial maps of Kochi and royal memorabilia. The museum is open 10 am to 5 pm everyday except Fridays. The Jew Street of Mattanchery is the only remaining Jewish settlement in India. With its cobbled pathway, neat little shops and houses on either sides, wrinkled old ladies in floral frocks, and men leaning on their canes watching people go by, you get the feeling that time just froze. Fort Kochi A walk through this area takes you through Kochi's history. End it with the stunning sunset spectacle over the Arabian Sea. The last rays of the sun paint the waters shades of gray, orange and red, before the night wipes it all away in a single stroke. Bolgatty Palace On a tiny island, the palace was built by the Dutch and later housed a British resident. The property has been developed into a hotel by Kerala Tourism, complete with a golf course and enchanting tree top like honeymoon cottages. Chinese fishing nets From Vasco Da Gama Square, walk down the short promenade to see these cantilevered fishing nets reeling out catches all through the day. They speak of a rich legacy, handed down generations ever since traders from Kublai Khan's court left them over 600 years ago. Wellingdon Island This island between Ernakulam and Fort Kochi is home to the Southern Naval Command. The island is entirely manmade. It was dredged out of the backwaters and the sea. It is connected to the mainland by the Venduruthy Bridge. The view from the bridge is spectacular. On the Ernakulam side, you can see the tall crane of the Kochi Shipyard, one of the major ship building yards in India and on the island side you can see the Navy vessels.
It was built by the Portuguese and presented to the Raja of Kochi, Veera Kerala Varma in 1555, but was later taken over by the Dutch. The palace has fine murals depicting scenes from Ramayana, Mahabharta and other mythological figuers Royal costumes, palanquins and other royal memorabilia are also exhibited here.
The palace, originally built by the Portuguese and presented to the Cochin Raja Veera Kerala Varman in 1555, acquired its present name after 1663 when the Dutch carried out some extensive repairs. The Cochin rajas held their coronation ceremonies in the Central Hall of this double-storey quadrabgular building.
Rooms adjacent contain breathtaking 17th-century murals depicting scenes from the Purans and the great epics-the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.
St. Francis' Church,
The chief landmark though is St. Francis' Church, built in the early 16th century. It is the pride of Fort Cochin. The most magnificent pageant enacted here was the burial of Vasco da Gama in 1526.Nevertheless, it was to be a temporary resting place for this "armed interloper," as after sixteen years later, his son Pedro da Silva Gama took away the mortal remains of his father back to Portugal.
St. Francis' Church is the oldest existing European church in India. From this choir, for the first time in India, resounded the sonorous chants of Rome. The church began life as a wooden structure built by the five friars who accompanied the Portuguese to Cochin in 1503. The Franciscans, followers of St. Francis Xavier who visited Cochin in the early 16th century, raised the present edifice.
The most enduring impression of Fort Cochin is the enigma of the Chinese fishing nets. Like totems from another age stranded in time, they perch along the backwaters. Curious clumsy things with no bright counterfeit graces. The Chinese fishing nets are the most efficient means of backwater fishing and Font Cochin is full of them.
It was built in 1503, by Portuguese Franciscan friars and is believed to be the first church built by the Europeans in India. Vasco da Gama, the discoverer of sea route to India, died in Cochin in 1524 and was initially buried here.
This Protestant church, originally built by the Portuguese in 1510, is believed to be the oldest existing European church in India. Vasco da Gama was originally buried here in 1524 before his remains were sent to Lisbon, 14 years later.
St. Francis' Church, Fort Cochin
Santa Cruz Cathedral, Fort CochinThere are some beautiful paintings in this Roman Catholic Church situated close to the St. Francis' Church.
Vamanamoorthy Temple, Thrikkakara
Set in a land of great mythological significance, this ancient temple, dedicated to Vamana-the fifth avatara of Lord Vishnu-is venerated by the Vaishnavaites as one among the 108 holy places in India. The temple holds a large number of lithic records, some of great historical significance.Fort Kochi Beach
The beautiful beach extends from Kamalakada to the entrance of Kochi harbour. A long the beach are many colonial bungalow's.Vasco House
This 16th century building is one of the earliest residences built in Fort Cochin and is said to be the house of Vasco da Gama.Willingdon Island
It is set amidst mainland and Ernakulam and the old town Matancheery and was named after Lord Willingdon, one of the British Viceroys. Some of the finest hotels and trading centres of the city are located here.Jewish Synagogue & Jew Town (Mattancherry)
It synagogue built in 1568, is the oldest in the country. The township around the synagogue is known for spice trade and curio shops dealing in antiques as well as rare glass and beads.Built in 1568, this is the oldest synagogue in the Commonwealth. The Great Scrlls of the Old Testament, copper plates on which the grants of privillege made by the Cochin rules were records, gold and silver crowns gifted by various patrons to the synagogue and exquisite Chinese hand-painted willow patterned tiles are of interest here.
Bolghatty Island
The scenic island located in the Kochi Bay is known for the Bolghatty palace built by the dutch in 1744. It also served as the sear of the British Resident and is now a heritage hotel run by the KTDC. The lush green landscape with great views of the backwaters makes it an attractive picnic spot. There is also a small golf course.This long narrow palm-fringed island, easily accessible from the mainland, is where the Bolgatty Palace is situated amidst 15 acres of lush green lawns. Built by the Dutch in 1744, it became the seat of the British Resident later. In 1976 the palace was converted into a hotel under the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation.