Fort Kochi and Mattancherry
AI-drafted · awaiting admin review
Old port quarters of Kochi where centuries of Arab, Chinese, Jewish, Portuguese, Dutch and British trade have left churches, a synagogue, a palace and the famous Chinese fishing nets.
CityKochi, Ernakulam districtBest time to visit: October to March
Highlights
- Chinese fishing nets (cheena vala) worked by hand at the harbour mouth
- St Francis Church, where Vasco da Gama was first buried before his remains were taken to Portugal
- Mattancherry Palace (the Dutch Palace) with its Ramayana murals, protected by the ASI
- Paradesi Synagogue and Jew Town, with spice warehouses and antique shops
- Kochi-Muziris Biennale, a contemporary art festival
Significance
Kochi grew into Kerala’s chief port after a great flood in 1341 opened its harbour. Its old quarters show how the spice trade brought many communities to Kerala and how they lived side by side.