Best Travel to Cochin
Formerly known as Cochin, Kochi is one of the top tourist destinations of India. This port city is set on a cluster of islands and promontories. Reflecting the colonial charm the place is also a great commercial center.
Cochin has a distinct European feel as it was ruled by the Portuguese, the Dutch and the English who each left behind them architectural structures and footprints in the culture. Wondering the city's atmospheric streets is a pleasant experience. Cochin is the perfect starting place for a travel to the backwaters of Kerala.
Places of Interest
Known as the Queen of the Arabian Sea, Cochin has many places of tourist interest.
Bolghatty Palace
Once a mansion of the British Resident and now converted into a hotel, is in palm fringed Bolghatty Island.
Mattancherry Palace
Built by the Portuguese, the Dutch Palace at Mattancherry was presented to Vira Kerala Varma, the ruler of Cochin in 1555 to expiate the plunder and desecration of a temple near the Raja's palace by a young Portuguese officer. The characteristic feature of this palace is the murals depicting scenes from the Ramayana, Mahabharata and Puranic legends.
Jewish Synagogue
The oldest in the Commonwealth countries, this synagogue was built in 1568. A stone slab from Kochangadi synagogue inscribed in Hebrew, can be found on the inner surface of the wall. The synagogue has hand-painted, willow pattern floor tiles brought from China.
St. Francis Church
Built in 1503 by Portuguese Franciscan friars, this is oldest existing European church in India. A major landmark of Cochin, it had a wooden structure but was rebuilt in stone in mid-16th century. Vasco da Gama was buried here in 1526. However, later his mortal remains were transferred away to Portugal.
Parishath Thampuran Museum
Built in traditional Kerala style, the museum has one of the finest collections of 19th century old coins, oil paintings, sculptures and Mughal paintings and exhibits from the Cochin Royal family.
Travel to Cochin won't be complete without a visit to the sea front to see the Chinese Fishing Nets. These nets, introduced by the Chinese traders, display a mechanical method of catching fish.
How to Get There
By Air: Domestic carrier, Indian Airlines and Private carriers have flights between Cochin and Metros.
By Rail: All super-fast trains stop either at Ernakulam Town Railway Station or at Ernakulam Junction.
By Road: Kerala State Road Transport Corporation buses are available from all parts of the state to Ernakulam.
