Chinese Fishing Nets in Cochin Harbor : The
fishing nets in Cochin harbor are a beautiful
sight. Suspended from a wooden framework these
cobweb-like structures form a delicate silhouette
as the sunset paints the twilight sky in shades
of ochre and crimson.
St Francis Church : This Portuguese
church is the first European church to be built
in India. Vasco do Gama, the Portuguese explorer
was laid to rest at St Francis Church, Cochin,
in Kerala, India in 1524. Later his body was
moved to Portugal. His sepulcher can be seen
in the historic St Francis Church at Cochin,
on Kerala tours.
Matancherry Palace : Also
called the Dutch Palace, this structure was
built by the Portuguese and given to the Raja
of Cochin in 1555 AD. It was renamed the Dutch
Palace in 1663. The central hall is an impressive
auditorium where the coronation ceremonies of
the Rajas of Cochin were held.
Jewish Synagogue : Located
in Mattancheri near Kochi, this historic synagogue
was built by a thriving Jewish community in
1568 A.D. Now the community has dwindled in
numbers, however the synagogue is beautifully
preserved. You can see the religious scrolls
and the beautiful hand-painted tiles from China,
which decorate the synagogue.
Dutch Palace : Situated on
an island off the coast of Cochin, and accessible
by boat, the palace was built by the Dutch in
1744. Previously used as the residence of the
Governor by the Dutch and the British, the palace
is now a heritage hotel in Cochin and is famous
for its canopied garden.
