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Sight Seeings
FORT KOCHI
Kochi, once a tiny fishing village in Kingdom of Kochi was granted to Portuguese in 1500s by Rajah Of Kochi who also gave them permission to built Fort Emmanuel to protect their commercial interest. The Portuguese thus build the first European Settlement in India and the first part of the name Fort Kochi comes from this fort, Fort Emmanuel. The Dutch who took control in 1683 by destroying the fort and many other Portuguese institutions developed Fort Kochi as a major commercial center, a military base and a vibrant cultural hub. It came under British in 1795 and remained with them till India's independence. Tourist attractions in Fort Kochi include, The Chinese fishing nets, Burial Ground of Vasco Da Gama , Fort Kochi Beach, Santa Cruz Basilica, Bastion Bungalow, St Francis Church etc., Mattancherry Palace, and Jewish Synagogue are other spots worth visiting in the vicinity.
ST. FRANCIS CHURCH
ST. FRANCIS CHURCH - This centuries old church at Fort Kochi was originally built completely of timber and later reconstructed in stone masonry. The Protestant Dutch, converted to an Anglican church, restored it in 1779.
FORT IMMANUEL
FORT IMMANUEL - This bastion of the Portuguese in Kochi was a symbol of the strategic alliance between the Maharajah of Kochi and the Monarch of Portugal, after whom it was named.
DUTCH PALACE
DUTCH PALACE - This Palace was built by the Portuguese and presented to the Raja of Cochin in 1555 A.D. Though built by the Portuguese, it is popularly known as the 'Dutch Palace' as the Dutch renovated it during their short-lived reign here.
The palace is well known for its mural paintings, which are noted for their high level of excellence.These paintings represent scenes from the epics Ramayana and Mahabharata. The paintings cover a wide range of themes from the 'Puthra Kameshtiyagam' to Rama's return to Ayodhya after vanquishing king Ravana of Lanka. They cover nearly 300 sq. feet of wall surface. In the central courtyard of the Palace is the temple dedicated to Panhayannur Bhagavathi. In the Coronation hall there is a display of dresses and palanquins used by the rulers of Cochin. The Palace is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on all days except Fridays and National holidays
THE DUTCH CEMETERY
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.
WELLINGDON ISLAND
WELLINGDON ISLAND - This is a man made island created from the materials drudged while deepening the Cochin Port. Lord Bristow was the architect of this island. There are frequent ferry and bus services to this place from Ernakulam. The Harbour, Airport and Harbour Railway Terminus are in this island.
TRAYEESHA TEMPLE
Trayeesha Temple at Tripunithura is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and there are two festivals every year each lasting 8 days the most important festival falls in November -December and on the last
PALLIPURAM FORT
PALLIPURAM FORT - The Portuguese built Pallipuram fort in 1503. It is one of the oldest existing European monuments in India. The Dutch captured the fort in 1661 and sold it to the State of Travancore in 1789. This fort is situated in the northern extremity of the Vypeen Island at Pallipuram.
The Catholic Church at Pallipuram is an important pilgrim centre for the Christians. From Vypeen there are frequent buses to Pallipuram. Vypeen is connected by ferry with Fort Cochin and Ernakulam.
LOAFER'S CORNER/PRINCESS STREET
LOAFER'S CORNER/PRINCESS STREET - One of the earliest streets to be constructed in Fort Kochi, Princess Street with its European style residences still retains its old world charm.
JEWISH SYNAGOGUE
JEWISH SYNAGOGUE - This synagogue built in 1568 A.D., was destroyed by the Portuguese in 1662 and rebuilt by the Dutch two year after Scroll of Old Testament and a number of the Copper Plates inscribed in the Hebrew script script are preserved in the synagogue. The synagogue is open from 10 a.m. to 12 noon and from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. excepted on Saturdays and Jewish holidays
PIERCE LESLIE BUNGALOW
PIERCE LESLIE BUNGALOW - This charming mansion was the office of Pierce Leslie & Co., coffee merchants, founded in 1862. A representative of the Fort Kochi colonial bungalow, this building reflects Portuguese, Dutch and local influences.
CHINESE FISHING NETS
The Chinese fishing nets are a fascinating sight to us. These nets, at the entrance of the harbour and along the backwaters with pivots of wood, were introduced by traders from the court of Kublai Khan in 1350AD.They can be seen all along the backwaters of Kerala