Historic places in Kochi

Historic places in Kochi

1. SeeOld Kochi

   Bastion Bungalow

   Typical Indo-Dutch architecture, this bungalow was built on the site of the erstwhile Stromsburg Fort, which was demolished during the Arab raids. It serves as the District Heritage Museum.

2. SeeGoshree

   Cherai Beach

   Gold beaches with big sand grains, coconut palm corridors, backwaters and historical monuments. Cherai Beach surpasses all with its swimming facilities and coconut groves. Occasional sights of dolphins are also an added attraction. This is one of the safest beaches for swimming, watersports and beach games. A very large, beautiful backwater is 250 m from the beach and is famous for its scenic beauty and boating. The best way to reach Cherai is a ferry from Fort Kochi to Vypin Island and then a local bus (₹12) to Cherai Junction. From there, take an auto-rickshaw (₹20) to the beach. An alternative is taking the auto-rickshaw from the ferry for about ₹100. There are also buses from Ernakulam to Cherai Junction.

3. SeeOld Kochi

   Chinese Fishing Nets

   Cheenavala

   Serves as the official icon of Kochi and is a testimony of relations between the Ancient Chinese Empires and the Cochin Kingdom. They were gifted by the Chinese Emperor Kubalagi to the Kochi King in the 14th century. There were more than 100, though only a few remain in working condition.

4. SeeOld Kochi

   Dutch Palace

   Mattancherry Kottaram

   Constructed by the Portuguese in 1568 as a gift to the Maharaja of Cochin, Veera Kerala Varma, after he granted permission to construct Fort Immanuel. During the Dutch siege of Cochin, many parts of the original palace were destroyed. However, the Dutch Governor repaired the palace and renamed it as Dutch Palace. Coronations of Cochin Maharajas are held here. A large throne and coronation costumes are on display, and there is an extensive collection of royal chariots, swords and other artefacts. The most interesting part is the mural room, which has the entire Ramayana and Mahabharata depicted in a single mural.

   Sat-Thu 10AM-5PM·₹5

5. EatOld Kochi

   Fort House Restaurant and Hotel

   At the waterfront, offering good Kerala food and great views.

6. DoOld Kochi

   Fort Kochi Beach

   A historical beach where 1st Portuguese-Dutch war broke out in the 17th century. Once a very large beach, it has reduced to a quarter in size after the 2004 tsunami. A beautiful, small walkway is ideal for evening strolls. One can find remnants of the Old Portuguese Immanuel Fort, along with parts of the Dutch Stormberg Fort, with some cannons still kept intact. An obsolete boiler that was once used for powering cranes of old port and a very large anchor of an old Portuguese ship are displayed on the walkway. Works for creating a new artificial beach are undergoing near this old beach with the help of the Tsunami development funds.

7. SeeThrippunithura

   Hill Palace Museum

   The erstwhile Kochi Maharaja's palace, now converted to a large museum with a small zoo. Has paintings and epigraphy from collections of Travancore and Cochin royal families. It is the largest archaeological palace in South India with more than 500 artifacts divided into 16 galleries. The highlight of the Palace is the display of multi-billion worth Cochin Royal Crown and Crown Jewels. The Crown Gallery is a high security zone with elaborate security checks. Photography and bags are prohibited. The Palace complex is huge with several buildings inside. There is a good Deer Park (10AM-4:30PM) which also has peacocks. A small fauna garden was set up in 2003. The palace has more than 100 different species of trees and plants of medical value. The palace has five large gardens and two large resting grounds of late Maharajas.

   10AM-12:30PM; 2-4:30PM (Crown Gallery closes at 4PM) (closed Mondays)·Indians ₹20, foreigners ₹500 (including Deer Park and all attractions)

8. SeeOld Kochi

   Holy Cross (Coonan Kurisu) Church

   Pradhankuriyacha Palli

   Historic church where native Christians had once received the Bishop of Persia and declared their affinities to the Orthodox Eastern Church. Here, Malayali Christians in the 17th century revolted against Portuguese Jesuit missionaries' attempts to convert them to the Latin church. This was the first recorded revolt against Europeans in India, forcing the Pope to recognise native Christians and establish a new church, the Syro-Malabar Church.

   Open now · open 24 hours·Free

9. SeeOld Kochi

   Indo-Portuguese Museum

   It highlights the start of European colonisation of the Orient in the 16th century. The museum showcases the growth and decline of Portuguese life in Kochi with a focus on the growth of the Latin Church. There are also excavated ruins of the former fort wall in the basement of the museum.

10. SeeOld Kochi

    International Pepper Exchange

    Kochi's answer to New York's Wall Street, but instead of money, it's all about pepper trading. This is the world's only pepper exchange. Nowadays, trading all happens online, so there is not much to see any more except the historical place.

    Free

11. DoThrippunithura

    Kalikotta

    The official concert palace hall of the Kochi royal family who are patrons of more than a dozen cultural institutions and societies. Most performances are free. The mega Kathakali festival organised prior to Temple festival of Thripunithura Poornathresya Royal temple, is one of the largest Kathakali events here.

12. SeeKalamassery

    Kerala Museum

    A good, well maintained museum with a 40 minute light and sound show (English and Malayalam) about Kerala history. Depicts the history of Kerala through life-like wax statues. Adjacent are the Museum of Dolls with nearly 1,000 dolls from various countries, and M.N.F Art and Sculpture Gallery that has many good collections of paintings and sculptures. This museum has a small, well maintained garden.

    ₹100 (₹30 for children)

13. SeeGoshree

    Pallipuram Fort

    The oldest existing European fortification in India. Built by the Portuguese in 1503, it was later handed over to the Travancore Army to become a major army base till 1903, when it was converted into a heritage museum. It has a small museum and good views of the lagoon on one side and the sea on the other.

14. SeeOld Kochi

    Princess Street

    Loafer’s Corner

    The most famous street of Fort Kochi, which gives you a slice of authentic colonial European architecture. The only street that never faced any raid or demolitions in the past, Princess street is a perfect destination for an evening walk with numerous western-style cafes, souvenir shops, art galleries and heritage complexes.

15. SeeOld Kochi

    Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica

    The first European church built in Asia, by the Portuguese in 1502, also the first Cathedral of Asia and the seat of the second Catholic Diocese in India. The British modified the structure and added oil paintings. Today, it serves as the primary seat of the Latin church of Kerala. Pope John Paul II declared it a basilica in 1984. It houses several historical paintings, decorations and artefacts.

    Daily 7AM-5:30PM·Free

16. SeeErnakulam

    St. Mary's Syro-Malabar Cathedral Basilica

    The cathedral is dedicated to "Our Lady of Ports". The cathedral was built in the early twentieth century under the direction of Mar Louis Pazheparambil. It is also a prominent Marian pilgrim centre in India.

17. DrinkOld Kochi

    XL Fishnet Bar

    The bar fills up each day with tourists looking for a beer in Fort Cochin. There is nothing cosy about the place and the staff are quite lazy. It can be a nice spot to meet other travellers, since everyone has one thing in common: drinking beer. There is a busy restaurant downstairs that also serves beer (more pricey) and may be preferred by solo women.

    until about 10:30PM

18. DoErnakulam Not mapped

    Boating on the Kochi backwaters

    Get the real feel of the Vembanad Lake through boating. There are many cruises offered by many private players as well as the Kerala State Inland Shipping Corp. Sunset cruises are popular. Many guesthouses offer the trip and in the centre you can arrange it by yourself as well. Speedboats also ply on the backwaters. Some premium hotels in Willingdon Island and Fort Kochi offer motorised watersports for its guests. Daily backwater tours can be organised directly through the state tourism office at Ernakulam Park Jetty. They cost ₹650 per person and must be booked at least the day before. The tour includes a stop at local small industries and food sites.

19. EatErnakulam Not mapped

    Hon. East India Company

    A historical themed restaurant operating within the four star Travancore Palace Hotel. Famous for its classic paintings and heritage photo galleries as well as its food. The evening buffet is one of the largest in town, offering the best of English, Kerala and North Indian cuisine.

    11AM-11PM

20. DoErnakulam Not mapped

    See India Foundation

    Kalathil Parambil Crossroad, nr Valanjambalam Temple, Chitoor Rd. An evening Kathakali theater, where daily performances take place from 6PM-8PM. This is the oldest and first evening Kathakali theater in India. The show is preceded by a detailed discourse of Kathakali history and philosophy, elaborate make-up performances and a demonstration of Kathakali techniques.

21. EatOld Kochi Not mapped

    Shala

    Started by the same people who run the Kashi Art Cafe, Shala serves delicious Keralan food. The menu which changes daily. The owner, Anoop, hires local housewives to cook their local specialties. The restaurant is in a beautiful and tastefully restored historical building.

22. EatErnakulam Not mapped

    Spice Route

    Themed around historical spice route with focus on traditional Persian foods.

    11AM-11PM

23. BuyOld Kochi Not mapped

    Isidore Art Palace

    Will reliably ship stuff outside India. Bargain hard.

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Kochi (CC BY-SA 4.0).