Fort Cochin:
Also known as the 'Old Fort', Fort Cochin is the very first
fort built by the Europeans in India. Started by the Dutch
and then British, the Fort has many amazing structures. Vasco
de Gama, the first European to land on Indian coasts in 1498,
died in Fort Cochin on Christmas eve in 1524. The Fort houses
a huge Portuguese-style Mansion, the St. Francis Church and
the Santa Cruz Basilica among other attractions.
Chinese Fishing Nets:
They are huge cantilevered fishing nets brought by
the Indian traders from the court of Kublai Khan, the famous
Mongol Emperor who founded the Yuan Dynasty of China. Erected
between 1350 and 1450 AD by traders, these nets are set up
on teak wood and bamboo poles. The best place to enjoy the
nets being lowered into the sea and its catch is the Vasco
de Gama square.
Mattancherry Palace:
Built by the Portuguese in 1557, the beautiful Palace was
gifted to Raja Veera Kerala Varma of Cochin. The Palace is
famous for its beautiful murals, depicting scenes from the
epics Ramayana, Mahabharata and other Puranic Hindu legends.
Also on display are the Dutch maps of old Cochin, royal palanquins
and coronation outwears of former maharajas of Cochin. Also
known as the 'Dutch Palace', the palace was renovated in 1663
by the Dutch.
Jewish Synagogue:
Built in the year 1568, the Jewish Synagogue is probably the
oldest synagogue in the commonwealth. The greatest attractions
of this synagogue are the amazing 18th century hand painted
willow pattern floor tiles imported from China, the copper
plates on which the privilege granted by the kings were recorded,
a dock tower and Hebrew inscriptions on stone slabs among
many others.
St. Francis Church:
Built by the Portuguese in 1503 AD, it is the first church
built by the Europeans in India. Vasco De Gama, the famous
Portuguese trader and sailor, was buried here in 1524 before
his remains were moved to Lisbon, Portugal in 1538.
Bolghatty Island:
An enchantingly beautiful and narrow long island, it's famous
for housing the Bolghatty Palace, built by the Dutch in 1744.
The only golf course of Cochin is located on this picturesque
island. Other major attraction of the Bolghatty is an exciting
Boat cruising on the island connecting Cochin to Bolghatty
Island.
Willington Island:
Surrounded by beautiful backwaters of Cochin, Willington Island
is an artificial island created by the dumping of the materials
that were dug out while Cochin Port was being deepened. It
houses the city's best hotels and trading centers, the port
trust and the headquarters of the southern naval command.
Cochin Museum:
One of the most famous museums of Kerala, Cochin Museum is
known for its rich collections of paintings, coins and sculptures.
The museum displays the 19th century oil paintings, mural
paintings, wooden sculptures, sculptures in stone and plaster
of Paris and old coins. Earlier the museum was situated at
the Durbar Hall but now it has been shifted to the Hill Palace
at Tripunithura.
Other attractions of Cochin are the Bolghatty Palace, Fort
Kochi Beach, Koder House, Hill Palace, Museum of Kerala History,
Palliport (Pallipuram) Fort and the Parikshith Thampuram Museum
among many more.
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