Cochin
Kerala’s commercial capital, Cochin is called the ‘Queen of the Arabian sea’. One of India’s major seaports, Cochin has some of Kerala’s most popular tourist destinations. The International Airport is located at a distance of around 25kms from the city. The city is on the NH47, and it also has two railway stations, connecting the city with the rest of the country. Fort Kochi and Mattancherry are two hotspots in Cochin that have charming Portugal influences. Try not to miss the Dutch Palace, St. Francis Church, Santa Cruz Basilica, Jew Town & the Jewish Synagogue, Dutch cemetery and the Chinese fishing nets. The Cherai beach at Vypeen Island, the Bolghatty Palace, Indo-PortugueseMuseum, Maritime, Museum, the Hill Palace Museum, etc are other popular sights. Apart from the churches and the synagogue, there are other significant places of worship: Chottanikkara Temple, Cheraman mosque, Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha etc. The Ferry is a popular transport option to reach Fort Kochi & Mattancherry, Vypeen Island and the Bolghatty Palace.
Please go to the photos section below this page to see photos and more details on the attractions around Cochin.
History of Cochin
History of Cochin is an elaborate subject which would require many a pages and much time to read on. Hence please see the important events that formed the history of Cochin, below:
1503: First Portuguese Fort(Manuel Kota) was built
1506: Santa Cruz Church was rebuilt in brick and Mortar
1514: Jews migrated from Cranganore to Sanda Cochin.
1516: St.Francis Church was reconstructed
1522: Konkanis from Goa arrived
1538: Larger Portuguese Fort was built
1555: Mattancherry Palace was built
1568: Pardesi (Jewish) Synagogue
1653: Coonen Cross Oath
1663: The Conquest of Cochin by the Dutch
1667: Stromberg Bastion (Sub Collector’s House)
1667: Gelderland Bastion (S.B.I’s House)
1667: Holland House (Light House)
1667: Gronningen Bastion (Pierce Lestey Compound)
1667: Zealand Bastion (Bishop’s House)
1668: Dutch Fort was built, 1749: Bolghatty Palace was built
1760: The Clock tower was built.
1790: Shaktan Thampuran takes over as Cochin Raja
1795: British conquest of Cochin
1808: The rebellion of Paliath Achan and the destruction of the Dutch Governor’s house.
1840: Cochin ruler shifted to Ernakulam
1889: The Great Fire
1920: Dredging of Cochin Port and formation of Willingdan Island
