|
|
| |
|
| |
The venerable city of KOCHI (Long known as Cochin) is Kerala's hottest tourist spot, spreading 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, and distinctly romantic bridges.Although most visitors end up staying in Ernakulam, Fort Cochin and Mattancherry are the focus of interest, where the city's extraordinary history of foreign influence and settlement is reflected in an assortment of architectural styles.During a wander through their narrow lanes, you will stumble upon spice markets, Chinese fishing nets, a synagogue, a Portuguese palace, India's first European church, Dutch homes, and a village green that could have been transported from England's Home Counties. |
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
The city is also one of the few places in Kerala where, at any time of year, you can be assured of seeing Kathakali dance, either in one of several special tourist theatres,
or at a more authentic performance in a temple.Kochi was born in 1341, when a flood created a natural safe port that swiftly replaced Muziris (Kodungallur, 50km north) as the chief harbor on the Malabar coastline. The royal family moved here from Muziris in 1405, after which the city grew rapidly, attracting
Christian, Arab and Jewish settlers from the Middle East. Its name probably derives from ‘kocchazhi’, meaning the new, or small, harbor. The history of the European involvement in Kochi from the early 1500s onwards is dominated by the aggression of, successively, the Portuguese, Dutch and British, competing to control the port and its lucrative spice trade. From 1800 the state of Cochin was part of the British Madras Presidency; from 1812 until Independence in 1947, its administration was made the responsibility of a series of divan, or finance ministers. In the 1920s, the British expanded the port to make it suitable for modernocean-going ships; extensive dredging created Willingdon Island, between Ernakulam andssFort.
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
Fort Cochin was the first European fort built on the Indian soil in 1530 by Portuguese with the permission of its then ruler. It was then known as 'Manuel Kotta'. Dutch gained its possession in 1663 until British wrested it from them in 1795. Situated on one of the finest natural harbors of the state, it houses first European township that soon became an important commercial centre and trade centre that flourished under the British. It soon became a major military base, cultural hub, shipbuilding centre and centre for Christianity, all in one. Fort Cochin is the first town ship in the commonwealth, Located in the Shores of the Arabian sea. Fort Cochin is still dotted by centuries old colonial buildings, churches and most importantly, its European life style, its air of genteel decay, and stubborn self-absorption is a place where history, like a friendly phantom, still stalks the lonely streets. The Europeans have left random imprints in Fort Cochin. The massive buttresses, whichare so conspicuous feature of the place, were put up by the British to protect the houses that had been shaken by the force of an explosion that blew up the Santa Cruz cathedral. |
|
|
|
| |
| |
Infact, they themselves had bombarded the church, fearing a possible restoration of Dutch supremacy in Cochin. In spite of it , the renovated Santa Cruz Basilica still stands in a spirit of sturdy resistance. St. Francis church, is the oldest European church in India and it was built by Portuguese in 1503 A.D. Dutch restored and later the British converted it into an Anglican church. Vasco-Da-Gama who discovered sea route to India from Europe, was buried here. Chinese fishing nets are the Hallmark of Cochin. They speak of the first traders who visited this cost during 1350 - 1450 A.D. These nets are built using Teak wood and bamboo poles. They can be best viewed in use at " Vasco- Da-Gama Square", Fort Cochin. From this same location, you can view passing of ships into the Cochin port which is a very busy port in South India. Jewish trading community built the Jewish Synagogue in 1568 A.D. It is famous for its eighteenth century chinese hand painting, willow-patterned-floor tiles, each tile being unique in design. There are Hebrew inscriptions on stone slabs, great scrolls old testaments, Belgian Chandeliers and much more. Also there are other important
historical monuments in Fort Cochin.
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
