Fort Kochi – First Visit, India

St. Francis CSI Church

St. Francis CSI Church in Fort Kochi is one of the oldest European churches in India, originally built by the Portuguese in the early 16th century. The explorer Vasco da Gama was buried here after his death in Kochi in 1524, although his remains were later moved to Portugal. The simple historic church reflects the Portuguese, Dutch, and British periods of Fort Kochi’s colonial past.–

After visiting St. Francis Church, I walked around the historic streets of Fort Kochi.

There were many shops selling colorful traditional Indian clothing.

Fort Kochi is probably one of the few areas in the city where you can walk around without worrying too much about traffic.

The streets are also lined with many gift and souvenir shops.

A Western-style coffee shop in Fort Kochi.

Kochi has a long history as an important port and trading center on India’s Malabar Coast. Its location on the Arabian Sea connected it with merchants from Arabia, China, and other parts of Asia for centuries, particularly through the lucrative spice trade.

Kochi became especially important after the Portuguese arrived in the early 1500s. They established a settlement at Fort Kochi, making it one of the earliest centers of European colonial influence in India. Vasco da Gama died in Kochi in 1524 and was initially buried at St. Francis Church.

The Dutch captured Kochi from the Portuguese in 1663, and the British later took control in the late 18th century. These successive periods left Fort Kochi with an unusual mixture of Indian, Portuguese, Dutch, and British architecture and culture.

Kochi eventually developed into a major modern port city, but Fort Kochi and neighboring Mattancherry still preserve much of the city's historic character, which is why this part of Kochi feels so different from the busier modern city.

I am near the oceanfront in Fort Kochi, overlooking the Arabian Sea. The waterfront is also a lively market area with many shops and street vendors.

Walking along the waterfront promenade next to the Arabian Sea.

The famous Chinese fishing nets of Fort Kochi

The famous Chinese fishing nets of Fort Kochi are large shore-operated nets that are lowered into the water and raised using a system of wooden poles, ropes, and counterweights. They have become one of the most recognizable sights along Kochi’s historic waterfront.

Walking back toward the center of Fort Kochi.

An unusually beautiful Western-style building, possibly a house or restaurant, along the streets of Fort Kochi.

From Fort Kochi, I took an Uber to the nearby Paradesi Synagogue in Mattancherry.

Walking the rest of the way to the Paradesi Synagogue in Mattancherry.

And, as always, there were plenty of souvenir shops near this popular tourist area.

The Paradesi Synagogue.  Paradesi Synagogue, also known as the Cochin Jewish Synagogue, was built in 1568 by Kochi’s Jewish community. It is one of the oldest active synagogues in India and reflects the long history of Jewish settlement and international trade in Kochi.

Inside the Synagogue. The synagogue is particularly known for its hand-painted blue-and-white Chinese floor tiles, Belgian glass chandeliers, brass pulpit, and historic Torah scrolls. Interestingly, the individual floor tiles are said to be hand-painted, so no two are exactly alike.

It stands in Jew Town in Mattancherry, next to the Mattancherry Palace. The synagogue and surrounding neighborhood are reminders of Kochi's unusually diverse history, where Jewish, Hindu, Christian, Muslim, Indian, Arab and European communities all played roles in the city's development.

A small museum next to the synagogue displays exhibits about the history and heritage of Kochi’s Jewish community.

Mattancherry Palace is just a short walk from the Paradesi Synagogue.

Mattancherry Palace, also known as the Dutch Palace, is one of Kochi's most important historic buildings. It was originally built by the Portuguese around 1555 and presented to the Raja of Kochi. The Dutch later renovated and expanded it in the 17th century, which is how it acquired the name “Dutch Palace.”

Despite that name, the building is largely traditional Kerala in design, with a central courtyard, wooden ceilings, and relatively simple exterior architecture.

Inside, the palace is especially famous for its colorful murals depicting scenes from Hindu epics such as the Ramayana and Mahabharata. It also contains royal portraits, ceremonial objects, weapons, furniture, and other artifacts associated with the former rulers of Kochi.

Together with the nearby Paradesi Synagogue and the streets of Mattancherry, the palace illustrates the unusual mixture of Indian, Jewish and European history that developed around Kochi's old trading port.

On another day, I visited Fort Kochi again, since I had arrived several days before my scheduled South India tour began.

Fort Kochi

Fort Kochi waterfont side