Cochin - Queen of the Arabian Sea

Cochin city- A shot from Marine drive

Cochin/ Ernakulam, affectionately called the “queen of the Arabian Sea” is located on the south western part of India and is home to one of the finest natural harbors in the world. It is bordered by the Arabian Sea on the western part and the Western ghats on the eastern front. Cochin is the commercial capital of Kerala and is termed the gateway to Kerala. Cochin has a population of over 600,000 people and is the biggest city in Kerala. Cochin is accessible from every part of India by Air, Rail, Road and by water.

Cochin was one of the first cities in the country to be settled by the Europeans. The Portuguese arrived in 1503 followed by Dutch and the British. From the earliest of times Cochin had trade relations with the Arabs, Romans, Greeks and the Chinese even before the arrival of the Europeans. The Chinese fishing nets still being used for fishing in Fort Cochin are a testimony to the close association with the Chinese in the early times. 

Tourist attractions

1. Jewish Synagogue

Jewish Synagogue

The Jewish Synagogue is one of the most important tourist attractions in Cochin and was built in the year 1568. This Jewish Synagogue is the oldest synagogue in the Commonwealth. The great scrolls of the Old Testament, the copper plates on which the grant of royal privileges by the Cochin rulers were recorded and the exquisite Chinese hand painted tiles are all well preserved in the synagogue. During the war of 1662 the synagogue was partially destroyed but was rebuilt by the Dutch soon. A clock tower was also added later on.

The synagogue stays open from 10 am to 12 noon and from 3.00 pm to 5 pm on all days except on Saturdays and Jewish holidays.

2.Dutch Palace

The Dutch palace or the Mattancherry palace was built by the Portuguese and presented to the Rajah of Cochin in the year 1555. The Dutch, however, took over the palace in 1663 and made extensive renovations and the palace soon came to be known as the Dutch palace. As this was offered to the ruler of Cochin, neither the Portuguese nor the Dutch ever stayed in the palace.

The Dutch palace now is one of the important tourist attractions in Cochin and tourists are seen visiting this ancient monument. The Dutch palace features the royal dresses worn by the kings, the turbans, weapons and several other relics of the ancient times. The central hall where royal coronations took place can also be seen. The Dutch palace also showcases several mural paintings of Hindu mythological figures and scenes from the Ramayana. A special mix of egg white, charcoal, coconut shells and lime is used for the floor construction and this gives a very polished appearance. The Dutch palace obviously is one of the important places to visit in Cochin.  The Dutch palace stays open from 10 am to 5 pm on all days except on Fridays and national holidays. 

3.Santa Cruz Basilica

The Santa Cruz Basilica is one of the oldest churches in the country and is located near the St. Francis church in Fort Cochin. The Santa Cruz basilica is a Roman catholic church and was built in Gothic style by the Portuguese in the year 1503. It is a specimen of Portuguese church architecture with lofty spires. The basilica features frescos and mural paintings on the ceilings and the interior. The Santa Cruz basilica is one of the “must see” tourist attractions in Cochin. Daily masses are held, and on being raised to the status of a basilica, it has achieved international recognition. Foreign tourists are also seen visiting this basilica in large numbers.

4.Chinese fishing nets 

The Chinese fishing nets are an integral part of Cochin and are an icon in the tourist map of Cochin. These Chinese fishing nets in Fort Cochin are believed to have been brought by the Chinese traders during the reign of the Chinese emperor Kublai Khan. These Chinese fishing nets in Fort Cochin have very large nets that hang from teak poles. The fishing nets are still in use and tourists visiting Cochin make it a point to watch the fishermen catch fish using these fishing nets

5.Hill Palace Museum

The hill palace museum is the largest archaeological museum of Kerala and is located at a distance of 13 km from Cochin close to Thrippunithura. The hill palace museum was the abode of the erstwhile kings of Cochin and the relics kept in the museum are a testimony to the opulent lives led by these kings.  The museum features a throne and the crown besides housing several paintings by renowned painters. The utensils used by the royal family, dresses, swords and other weapons etc are all on display at the museum. This hill palace museum is one of the most important tourist attractions near Cochin. 

6. St. Francis Church

St. Francis church at Fort Cochin is the oldest church built by the Europeans in India in the year 1510. Though the church was initially built by the Catholic Portuguese its ownership passed on to the Dutch who were mostly Protestants. Vasco Da Gama the first European to land in Kerala in the year 1492 was initially buried at this church before his mortal remains were transferred to Portugal. The church was built in the traditional Gothic architectural style and presents an imposing sight. One can see several brass tablets containing the names of the Portuguese, Dutch and the British who were buried in the church embedded on the walls. Europeans who land in Cochin always make it a point to visit this famous church where many of their own countrymen lie buried.  St. Francis church is one of the “must see” tourist places in Cochin. The church presently is managed by the church of south India, a protestant sect.

View from Shipyard  and Subash Park

 Must Things to do

•     Sun set cruise

•     Boating

•     Enjoy Kathakali dance performance

•     Shopping

•     Swimming at the beaches.

Location/Best time to go

Location:

Cochin the vibrant city of Kerala situated on the south west coast of India in the God's Own Land. It is easily accessible by air, road and water. The nearest airport is Cochin International airport and Trivandrum airport is approx 220 km to the south.

Best time to go

January - March and September - December.