Cochin is a collection of narrow islands and peninsulas, built around a saltwater lagoon of the Arabian Sea. The mainland of Ernakulam bustles with the crowds at its shopping malls, trade centres, offices and recreational places, the old part of Cochin especially Fort Cochin and Mattancherry takes you back along the centuries with its mixture of Dutch, Portuguese and English bungalows and streets.
Cochin, also called Kochi is known as the Queen of the Arabian Sea. It is the commercial capital of Kerala and its most cosmopolitan city. Cochin is a beautiful destination for tourists because of its scenic port, inland lakes and backwaters. It has been rated in the top three tourist destinations by the World Travel & Tourism Council and featured in National Geographic Traveler's '50 greatest places of a lifetime'.
In Fort Cochin, you can sight massive Chinese fishing nets or Cheenavala, which were brought by traders from the court of the Chinese ruler Kublai Khan. They are unique because they can be found only in Cochin now. The Fort Kochi beach at sunset is a wonderful sight with the Chinese fishing nets and ships in the background. The beach has stalls that make traditional preparations with freshly caught fish.
St. Francis Church in Fort Cochin is the oldest church built by Europeans in India. Vasco da Gama, the first Portuguese trader who reached India was buried inside this church. But later his remains were taken to Portugal.
Another attraction in Fort Cochin is Vasco House, where legend has it that Vasco da Gama lived and is believed to be one of the oldest Portuguese houses in India. Santa Cruz Basilica is a famous church built by the Portuguese.
The Jewish Synagogue, decorated by Chinese tiles and Belgian chandeliers and the Dutch Palace, with its fine collection of mural paintings depicting scenes from the Hindu epics Mahabharata and Ramayana are the main attractions in Mattancherry.
Cochin, also called Kochi is known as the Queen of the Arabian Sea. It is the commercial capital of Kerala and its most cosmopolitan city. Cochin is a beautiful destination for tourists because of its scenic port, inland lakes and backwaters. It has been rated in the top three tourist destinations by the World Travel & Tourism Council and featured in National Geographic Traveler's '50 greatest places of a lifetime'.
In Fort Cochin, you can sight massive Chinese fishing nets or Cheenavala, which were brought by traders from the court of the Chinese ruler Kublai Khan. They are unique because they can be found only in Cochin now. The Fort Kochi beach at sunset is a wonderful sight with the Chinese fishing nets and ships in the background. The beach has stalls that make traditional preparations with freshly caught fish.
St. Francis Church in Fort Cochin is the oldest church built by Europeans in India. Vasco da Gama, the first Portuguese trader who reached India was buried inside this church. But later his remains were taken to Portugal.
Another attraction in Fort Cochin is Vasco House, where legend has it that Vasco da Gama lived and is believed to be one of the oldest Portuguese houses in India. Santa Cruz Basilica is a famous church built by the Portuguese.
The Jewish Synagogue, decorated by Chinese tiles and Belgian chandeliers and the Dutch Palace, with its fine collection of mural paintings depicting scenes from the Hindu epics Mahabharata and Ramayana are the main attractions in Mattancherry.
