Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Fort Cochin
Fort Cochin
WHERE
HISTORY
SLEEPS,
SERENELY.
FORT KOCHI
1
I
t’s an otherworldly charm, so much
like taking a stroll down the path of
history. Buildings from the colonial
times, that reflect the enigma of the
classic European architecture, on the one
side. The majesty of the tranquil Arabian sea
on the other. Chinese fishing nets set up, all
across the region on the one end. A chain of
eateries serving scrumptious delicacies on
the other. It’s a medley of experiences and
emotions embracing you warmly, making
you want to come back to them, many
times over. Fort Kochi, a town from the
yesteryears, is a destination you wouldn’t
want to miss.
2
FORT KOCHI
CONTENTS
St Francis
Church 03
Fort Kochi Chinese
Beach 01 Fishing Nets 05
Dutch
Santa Cruz
Cemetery 09
Basilica 07 Paradesi
Synagogue 11
Jain
Temple 23
International Princess
Police Museum 21 Street 25
Pierce Leslie
Spice Bungalow 29
Market 27
Vasco House 31
FORT KOCHI
01
Ernakulam Junction
Railway Station,
12.4 km away
Cochin
International Airport,
43.6 km away
A VIBE SO ENTHRALLING
Fort Kochi Beach
A shore brimming with life, from the harbour. You will also
the Fort Kochi beach is where come across the relics of the
Timings: Kochi celebrates itself. It’s more historic Fort Immanuel, the first
Throughout the day than a beach. It’s a venue where European fort in India, built by
multiple experiences converge to the Portuguese. Besides, a few
give you a picturesque view. other tourist spots in the locality
are a stone’s throw away from
The sun-kissed sands, the Fort Kochi beach. The beach
Chinese fishing nets, a walkway, is also a venue for the famous
the greenery of the land and the Cochin Carnival, one of the most
You can also reach vastness of the deep blue sea thrilling celebratory events in
the destination – the beauty is simply poetic. Kochi that culminates in a grand
through ferry from The beach offers a breath- celebration on the new year eve. FORT KOCHI
various part taking view of the sunset and Enjoy the blend of the old and
of Kochi sometimes, of huge cargo ships the new; and you’ll be lost for
passing by on their way to and words.
02
ST FRANCIS
CHURCH
FORT KOCHI
Timings
The church is
a testimony
to European FORT KOCHI
architectural
brilliance
04
CHINESE
FISHING
NETS
FORT KOCHI
Cochin
International Airport,
43.6 km away
A PICTURE-PERFECT EXPERIENCE
Chinese Fishing Nets,
Fort Kochi Beach These amusing wonders have vices primarily, the operation of
been the face of Kochi for a long these nets is today a sight of great
time, and continues to be so in amusement to travellers and tour-
many ways. The view of these ists. Made using teak and bamboo
Timings:
Throughout the day beautiful structures, spread all poles, these structures are mostly
over the blue waters against the 10 metres high and carry a canti-
setting sun is a sight to treasure. lever with a net attached to it, and
usually spreads over an area of
Chinese Fishing Nets or about 20 sq. metres. It’s a charm-
‘Cheenavala’ (in Malayalam) are ing visual spectacle and a high-
Visit in the believed to have been introduced ly prolific fishing solution, both
morning hours to to Kochi by the Chinese explor- rolled in to one. If you would like
see these nets er Zheng He. During the peri- to have a glimpse of fishing using FORT KOCHI
in operation od between 1350 and 1450 CE, these nets, make a visit during the
these nets were installed all over early hours of morning or in the
the region. Used as fishing de- evening.
06
SANTA CRUZ
BASILICA
FORT KOCHI
Timings
its grandeur on a
Christmas night
08
DUTCH
CEMETERY
FORT KOCHI
Cochin
International Airport,
43.3 km away
Dutch Cemetery The oldest European cemetery visited spots in Fort Kochi. It is
in India, the Dutch Cemetery is surrounded by walls, and the
today a memorial that tells many tombs were made using granite
Timings: a story of the Dutch lives lost and red laterite. You get to see
Throughout the day
during the years of colonialism old Dutch script inscriptions
and expansion. All the 104 on the epitaphs. However, the
tombs inside the cemetery cemetery, in spite of being a
are built in typical Dutch monumental structure with a
architectural style. rich history behind it, remains
closed most of the time. All you
The cemetery Many governors, might be able to get is a view
is home to the commanders and other officials from the outside. On special
tombs of Dutch of the Dutch regime in the request, the cemetery is opened FORT KOCHI
governors and region were buried in this for visitors. The cemetery is
other officials cemetery. Consecrated in 1724, managed by the Church of South
the cemetery is among the most India.
10
PARADESI
SYNAGOGUE
FORT KOCHI
A spectacular
interior image
of the Paradesi FORT KOCHI
Synagogue
12
THE DUTCH
PALACE
FORT KOCHI
Cochin
International Airport,
40.9 km away
A TRIBUTE TO AN ERSTWHILE
Dutch Palace, KINGDOM
Mattancherry
tales from the is said that they had plundered a the erstwhile kingdom of Kochi.
yesterdays temple nearby, and the palace was Many artefacts from the past
constructed in order to to appease centuries are preserved here.
the Maharajah. A quadrangular 14
MARITIME
MUSEUM
FORT KOCHI
www.cochinport.gov.in
Timings
The Museum
showcases various FORT KOCHI
artefacts which
were used by the
naval forces
16
INDIAN NAVAL MARITIME MUSEUM
FORT KOCHI
17
INDO-PORTUGUESE
MUSEUM
FORT KOCHI
A venue to celebrate
Indo-Portuguese relations
from the past
18
Ernakulam Junction
Railway Station,
12.6 km away
Cochin
International Airport,
43.6 km away
on display various the Indo-Portuguese Museum project was executed by the late
artefacts from the showcases the Portuguese Joseph Kureethra who was the
colonial days influence on the art and Bishop of Kochi.
19
INDO-PORTUGUESE MUSEUM
FORT KOCHI
20
INTERNATIONAL
TOURISM POLICE
MUSEUM &
STATION
FORT KOCHI
It’s a fitting tribute to all the issues, and finds solutions for the
selfless police personnel who visitors. Tourists can make use of
Cochin have protected and are still this facility to clear all their doubts
International Airport,
protecting the people of Kerala. regarding passport and visa,
40.6 km away
The International Tourism Police hiring taxis, renting boats and so
Station and the Police Museum, on. The Police Museum is located
the first of their kind in India, also within the Tourism Police Station
Vyttila Mobility Hub,
offer various services and facilities premises. It showcases various
14.2 km away
to tourists who visit Kochi. interesting exhibits from the pre-
independence era including police
The facility was inaugurated uniforms, hats, armoury, etc. The
International Tourism Police
in 2010, and is located in the Jew Tourism Police Station and the
Station and Police Museum,
Mattancherry Town, Mattancherry. The Tourism Museum have received positive
Police Station helps tourists make responses from tourists who have
their trips easy, convenient and made the best use of the facility to
+91 94979 32659 comfortable. It addresses various make their trips easy.
sitourismpsekm.pol@
kerala.gov.in
kochicity.keralapolice.gov.in/
wings/police_stations/touris-ps
FORT KOCHI
23
Ernakulam Junction
Railway Station,
10.5 km away
Cochin
International Airport,
41.5 km away
A DIVINE MARVEL
Jain Temple,
Mattancherry
One of the major Jain pilgrimage this fact. The temple was built by
centres in India is right here in Hirubhai Jivraj Dhanji in memory
Fort Kochi – the Jain Temple. of her husband Jivraj Dhanji. It
+91 484 2224802
Cementing the town’s fame is located in Mattancherry and
as a cosmopolitan centre, the dedicated to Shri Dharmanath,
Jain Temple, with its splendid the 15th Jain Tirthankara. The
cochinjainderasar@
gmail com
architecture and divine ambience, architecture of the temple is unlike
attracts tens of thousands of any other building in the region,
visitors every single year. and resembles Gujarati Jain
Timings temples. The interiors are done in
Fort Kochi is one destination white marble, and adorned with
where people belonging to various artworks and sculptures.
different socio-cultural, ethnic Thousands of pigeons flock at the FORT KOCHI
The interiors of the and religious backgrounds reside temple complex every day where
building closely resemble in absolute harmony. The Jain they are promptly fed with grains.
Gujarati Jain temples Temple is a fitting testimony to
24
PRINCESS
STREET
FORT KOCHI
Timings:
Throughout the day
A beautiful slice of
Europe in the God’s
Own Country FORT KOCHI
26
SPICE
MARKET
FORT KOCHI
Cochin
International Airport,
37.2 km away
SPICE MARKET
Spice Market,
Mattancherry
There’s a street in Mattancherry, turmeric – the spices that are
rich in the pleasant aroma of sold in the street add a whole new
exotic spices. Walk in to the charm to the locale. Just a walk
Timings Spice Market and you will across this picturesque setting
be transported to an entirely is an experience in itself. The
different world. The smells, the market is a hot shopping spot.
sights, the life – it’s indeed a Apart from spice merchants,
refreshing experience for any there are shops that sell various
traveller. curios and artefacts that reflect
the artistic brilliance of the
One of the finest Once a booming centre of region. So if you want to buy
shopping spots spice and tea trade, the Jew Town some of your favourite spices and
in the city to buy in Mattancherry is no longer take back piquant memories of FORT KOCHI
authentic Kerala what it used to be. However, some time well spent, do make it
spices and artefacts. the spice trade continues to this a point to visit the Spice Market.
day. Pepper, ginger, cardamom,
28
PIERCE LESLIE
BUNGALOW
FORT KOCHI
29
EMANATING AN ETHEREAL CHARM
Ernakulam Junction
Railway Station, One of the most imposing the ground floor, doors that are
8.9 km away
colonial architectural splendours carved elaborately and doorways
of the region, the Pierce Leslie created with imposing arcs. The
Bungalow once served as the rooms are pretty expansive and
Cochin office of Pierce Leslie & Co., impart matchless grandeur to the
International Airport, who were coffee merchants. It whole structure. The waterfront
40.3 km away
was built in the year 1892, and verandas are another spectacular
is today a heritage building that sight and offer a stunning view
is an object of fascination to of the Kochi backwaters. The
Vyttila Mobility Hub, travellers. bungalow consists of two houses
12.6 km away – the Old Harbour House and
The Pierce Leslie Bungalow the Koder House, each with its
has a unique architectural special charm that catches the
Pierce Leslie Bungalow style. One can see the influence attention of every single visitor to
of Portuguese, Dutch and the area. Staring at the majestic
traditional Kerala styles, that property, one gets a first-hand
Timings: are blended in perfect harmony. impression of Kochi’s colonial
Throughout the day There are amazing wooden past.
panels that make the ceiling of
A colonial
architectural
splendour that
never ceases FORT KOCHI
to amuse
30
VASCO
HOUSE
FORT KOCHI
Cochin
International Airport,
43.7 km away
FORT KOCHI
FORT KOCHI
event, culminating the New Year in a grand way. The man that symbolizes old ideas
in a grand New carnival is a display of the cultural and perspectives) is burned as the
Year celebration. richness of the region. Various art New Year is born.
36
Cochin Carnival
FORT KOCHI
37
KOCHI-MUZIRIS
BIENNALE
FORT KOCHI
info@kochimuzirisbiennale.org
Timings
A grand display
of an artistic FORT KOCHI
installation in the
Kochi-Muziris
Biennale
39
Kochi-Muziris Biennale
FORT KOCHI
40
FORT KOCHI
BOOK YOUR STAY
HOTELS HOMESTAYS
EXPLORE TOUR
PACKAGES
TOUR OPERATORS
FORT KOCHI
42
EXPLORE OTHER E-BROCHURES
Find More
43
THANK
YOU
FORT KOCHI
44