Queen of the Arabian Sea, Kochi (Cochin) is the commercial and industrial capital of South Indian state, Kerala. It has one of the finest natural harbors in the world. It has been a port of call for ancient mariners from Arabia, China, Holland, Britain and Portugal have all left their mark on this beautiful island city.
The cosmopolitan character of the city is reflected in the buildings and structures representing different regions of the world. A city of peninsulas and islands, today it is Kerala’s commercial hub. But it is not only the breathtaking beauty of Kochi that draws you towards it. It can also be just a careless daub of tinted light where sea and sky unite.
Originally built by the Portuguese, Cochin has a natural harbor with lagoons and canals and fishing hamlets. With its year-round shipping facilities, it is today the busiest port. As it lies on the direct route to Australia and the Far East from Europe, it serves the vast southern hinterland of industrial areas and plantations. It is one of the few ports of the world with all the three main forms of transport-land, sea, and air, centered in the same place.
Kerala’s prime tourist destination, it spreads across islands and promontories in a stunning location between the Arabian Sea and Backwaters. Its main sections: modern Ernakulam in the east and the old districts of Mattancherry and Fort Cochin on a peninsula in the west are linked by a complex system of ferries.
Being situated very close to the sea, Kochi has a moderate climate. It faces quite heavy rains during June-August, due to the southwest monsoon. Winter starts from December and continues till February. In summer, the temperature here rises to a maximum of 35°C and 25°C in the winters.
Mattancherry Palace (Dutch Palace)
Built by the Portuguese in 1557, the Palace was presented to Raja Veera Kerala Varma of Kochi (Cochin). The palace was renovated in 1663 by the Dutch. On display here are beautiful Murals depicting scenes from the epics, Ramayana and Mahabharata and some of the puranic Hindu legends. The palace also houses Dutch maps of old Kochi, royal palanquins, coronation robes of former Maharajas of Kochi as well as the furniture belonging to that period.
Bolghatty Palace
A Scenic island near the city of Ernakulam, Bolghatty is famous for the Bolghatty Palace built by the Dutch in 1744 AD. This palace, once the residence of the British resident of Kochi (Cochin), is now a KTDC (Kerala Tourism Development Corporation) hotel.
Chinese Fishing Nets
Strung out along the tip of Fort Cochin, the fixed and cantilevered Chinese Fishing Nets are the icon of Cochin sea trade. The fishing nets like these are not found anywhere else in India. Some traders brought these huge cantilevered fishing nets here from the court of Kublai Khan.
Santa Cruz Basilica
This huge and impressive monumental Catholic Church dates back to 1558. It has beautiful paintings on the ceiling and striking pastel colored interior.
St. Francis Church
Built in 1503 by Portuguese Francisan Friars, this Church is known to be the oldest European church in India. It was restored in 1779 by the protestant Dutch, converted to an Anglican Church by the British in 1795. It is presently under the church of South India. Vasco da Gama’s remains were buried here in 1524 and later moved to Lisbon, Portugal but his tombstone is still here.
Cherai Beach
This lovely beach bordering Vypeen Island is ideal for swimming. Dolphins are occasionally seen here. There are a couple of simple cafes and guesthouses too. A typical Kerala village with paddy fields and coconut groves nearby is an added attraction of this beach.
Hill Palace Museum, Thripunithra
Ten kms away from Kochi, Hill Palace, is the official residence of the Kochi royal family. It was built in 1865 AD. The palace complex consists of 49 buildings built in the traditional architectural style of Kerala. Surrounded by 52 acres of terraced land, the Palace also encompasses a Deer Park and horse riding facilities. A full-fledged ethno-archaeological museum and Kerala’s first heritage museum are the main attractions. Displayed inside the thirteen galleries are oil paintings, 19th century paintings, Murals, sculpture in stone and plaster of paris, manuscripts, inscriptions and coins belonging to the Kochi royal family.
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