Cochin
is located at a distance of 13
Kms from Ernakulam town. The best
way to discover the charms of
Cochin is by walking. Cochin has
a long history of contact with
the outside world. Many a voyagers
have landed in this sensitive
land of diverse charms and the
best way to discover the hidden
charms of Cochin is by walking.
The exclusive "Walking Tours"
provide visitors with a fascinating
insight in to this historic city.
The city's rich history dates
back to 1341 when a major flood
completely opened up the estuary
at Kochi. Prior to the floods,
Cochin was a land locked area
but post 1341 floods, it turned
out into one of the best known
natural harbours in the world.
Kochi thus became a much sought
after destination for the maritime
visitors from all across the world.
The city has the unique distinction
of being the first European settelment
in India when the Portuguese settled
here in the 15th century.
The Dutch captured Fort Kochi
in 1663 from the Portuguese and
thereafter it was the turn of
the British to take over the reigns
of the city from 1795 onwards.
The city reached its pinnacle
in the 1660's, as a much sought
after commercial center and its
reputation spread to faraway lands.
Today, after many centuries the
city is the abode of thirteen
distinct communities.
Some of the city's most enduring
landmarks are the Chinese fishing
nets down the Vasco Da Gama Square,
St.Francis Church, Santa Cruz
Basilica, Bastion Bungalow, VOC
Gate etc. Apart from the city's
architectural grandeur, Cochin
with its array of fine restaurants
offers the most delectable fresh
seafood delicacies which is a
rage with the tourists.
The Chinese fishing nets put up
on teak wood and bamboo posts
and function on the rule of balance.
If historical records are anything
to go by, the first Chinese fishing
nets were set up here between
1350 and 1450. Vasco Da Gama Square,
the narrow picturesque promenade
that runs parallel to the beach,
is the most ideal place to observe
the nets being hauled out of the
sea.
The Santa Cruz Basilica, was built
by the Portuguese and later on
was conferred the status of a
Cathedral by Pope Paul 1V in 1558.
This church was untouched by the
Dutch marauders who ruined many
Catholic edifices. The British
razed the structure and under
the instructions of Bishop Dom
Gomez Vereira a brand new building
was built in 1887. sanctified
in 1905, Santa Cruz was declared
as a Basilica by the Pope John
Paul II in 1984.
The St.Francis Church at Fort
Kochi is India's oldest church.
The church has witnessed several
change of guards. To begin with
it was a Roman Catholic Church
during the Portuguese era from
1503 to 1663, a Dutch Reformist
Church from 1664 to 1804 and an
Anglican church from 1804 to 1947.
Today it is administered and managed
by the Church of South India (CSI).
A significant feature of the church
is that Vasco Da Gama, who passed
away in 1524, was buried here
before his vestiges were returned
to Portugal.
Fort Kochi has history written
all over. Each street has a story
to tell. Some of Cochin's most
enduring tourist landmarks are
compiled below:
Chinese
Fishing Nets:
The Chinese fishing nets known
in the local parlance as Cheenavala
are the trademark of Cochin city.
Legend has it that merchants belonging
to the court of the Chinese ruler
Kublai Khan launched these intriguing
nets here. Surprisingly,apart
from China, these nets are found
only in Kochi. A lot of fishermen
earn their livelihood by fishing
with these enormous nets. The
entire stretch of the coast from
Fort Kochi to Vypeen are strewn
with these nets.
Fort
Kochi Beach:
A leisurely walk by the side of
the beach, particularly during
sunset in the backdrop of the
Chinese fishing nets and marine
ships is a truly an ethereal experience
for many visitors to Cochin. Quintessential
Victorian bungalows dot the shoreline.
The beachside promenade is replete
with eating joints and serve fresh
sea food delicacies on request.
St. Francis Church:
St.Francis Church is the oldest
church in India. In one of his
visits to Kerala, Vasco da Gama,
the renowned Portuguese traveler
upon his arrival at Kochi fell
ill and passed away in Kochi.
Initially he was buried in the
St. Francis Church and 14 years
later his vestiges were returned
back to Portugal. His burial spot
is still clearly noticeable inside
the church premises.
Santa Cruz Basilica:
The Santa Cruz Basilica is located
in Fort Kochi and like the St.Francis
Church was built by the Portuguese
in 1505 and later on was elevated
to the status of a cathedral in
1558. The British imperial rulers
shattered the cathedral in 1795.
The present construction was built
in 1905 and elevated to the status
of a Basilica by Pope John Paul
II in 1984.
Jewish
Synagogue:
The synagogue is one of the most
enduring landmarks of Cochin.
It was built way back in 1568
and is conspicuous by its splendid
Chinese tiles and dazzling Belgian
chandeliers. massive scrolls from
the Old Testament are another
feature of the synagogue. It is
within close proximity to the
Dutch Palace in Mattancherry.
Bolghatty Palace:
The Bolghatty palace is a quintessential
Dutch palace located on the picturesque
island of Bolghatty. This island
can be reached by a short boat
ride from the mainland. Today,
this magnificent palace has been
converted to a heritage hotel
and is managed by the Kerala Tourism
Development Corporation. The island
is conspicuous by a miniature
golf course and offers breathtaking
views of Cochin harbour. There
is round the clock boat service
linking the island with the mainland.
Dutch Palace:
The Dutch Palace is also referred
to as the Mattancherry Palace
in the local parlance. It was
built by the Portuguese but in
17th century, the Dutch custom-built
this palace and presented it to
the royal family of Kochi. In
the days of yore, the coronation
ceremonies of Maha Rajas of Kochi
used to be held here. The palace
has a rich repository of frescoes
and work of art artistically portraying
scenes from the Hindu epics Mahabharatha
and Ramayana.
Hill
Palace:
This palace was built in the 19th
century by the Maha Raja of Kochi.
In the days of yore the palace
used to be the seat of the Raja
of the Kochi. Today this magnificent
palace has been converted into
a museum showcasing artifacts
and objects used by the royal
family of Kochi. Even the crown
of the Raja of Kochi is on display
at the museum. The museum is a
repository of archaeological relics.
The Hill Palace is located at
a distance of 16 Kms east of Cochin.
Palliport:
Palliport is renowned for its
impregnable fort and is among
the oldest existing European fort
in India. This impressive fort
was built by the Portuguese in
1503. It is located in Vypeen
island.
Mangalavanam
Bird Sanctuary:
Mangalavanam is a bird watcher's
delight and is located bang in
the city center. The sanctuary
is the abode of numerous exotic
avian species. Both migratory
as well as resident birds can
be found at this sanctuary. Mangalavanam
is ideally located adjacent to
the High Court of Kerala.
Museum of Kerala History:
The museum showcases stunning
audio-visual displays artistically
depicting the history, culture
and traditions of Kerala. The
museum is conspicuous by numerous
life size figures of many renowned
personalities of Kerala.
Parikshith Thampuram Museum:
In the days of yore, the Maha
Rajas of Cochin used to hold their
" durbars" at this inspiring building.
The Parikshith Thampuram Museum
is located in the Durbar Hall
grounds. The museum has a rich
collection of archaeological relics
inclusive of old coins, figurines,
oil paintings and frescos. This
remarkable edifice now managed
by the Kerala Lalitha Kala Academy
and houses the Gallery of Contemporary
Art.
Cherai Beach:
This picturesque beach is located
to the north of Vypeen island
which is one of the most scenic
islands neighboring Kochi. The
beach is dotted with graceful
coconut trees and lush green paddy
fields. Vypeen is accessible by
land and boat.
Veega
Land Tours in Cochin India:
Veega Land is South India's most
renowned amusement park is located
at a distance of 14 Kms. from
Cochin. The park offers a bewildering
array of amusement options like
mini castles, water theme park,
ferris wheel, rides, slides, shows
and fountains. Kids and adults
both can indulge in fun and frolic.
Marine Drive:
A leisurely stroll down the coastal
trail that shapes the tranquil
backwaters is a great way to explore
the beauty of Cochin's waterfront.
The blissful backwaters replete
with fishing boats, speedboats,
passenger boats, tankers and ships
can be seen at a distant horizon
from the Marine Drive walkway
that makes for a truly kaleidoscopic
vignette.
Willingdon
Island:
Willingdon Island is a man-made
island and was constructed in
1933 under the supervision of
Sir Robert Bristow. Even a few
years back the Airport, Sea port
and the Cochin Harbor Railway
Terminus were all located on this
island. Today Wellingdon Island
is the headquarters of the Sourthern
Naval Command. The airport continues
to serve as the naval air station.
Jawaharlal Nehru
Stadium:
The Nehru stadium is located in
Kaloor and can easily accommodate
60,000 spectators. Nehru stadium
is the fourth largest stadium
in India and the largest in Kerala.
The stadium has the facility of
floodlights. The stadium is the
bastion of the Kerala Ranji cricket
team as well as FC Kochi football
club. |
