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Cochin is the
largest city in Kerala with a population of 5.5 lakhs. An
all weather harbour, Cochin is an important centre for
commerce and industry. It has a maritime history that began
in the remote past. The Portuguese, the Dutch and the
English had established themselves here at one time or the
other. In fact Cochin fort was built by the Portuguese with
the permission of the local ruler.
 Cochin
consists of mainland Ernakulam, Willington island, Fort
Cochin - Mattancherry peninsula, Bolgatty and Gundu and
Vypeen island.
Cochin can be reached either by plane, by road or by train
(All trains from Trivandrum to Delhi, Bombay, Madras,
Bangalore and Mangalore pass through Ernakulam). Cochin is
67 kms from Kottayam and 63 kms along the coast from
Alleppey.
St.Francis Church-This Protestant church was built by
the Portuguese circa 1510 A.D. and is also the oldest church
built by the Europeans in India. Vasco-da-Gama's gravestone
is located here though his mortal remains were taken back to
Portugal several years later. Originally the church was
built of wood. Later it was demolished and rebuilt in stone,
probably after 150 years. The Dutch and the English were
also masters of the church during their occupation of
Cochin. It is now a part of the church of South India.
Cochin Fort-This fort was built by the Portuguese in
1503 A.D. and is at the entrance to the port. The spiderly
Chinese nets at the entrance to the harbour, forming a
silhoutte against the sky creates an ethereal picture.
Santa Cruz Church-This cathedral was also built by the
Portuguese in the 16th century. Strangely enough it was
blown up by the English in 1795 A.D. in their anxiety to
prevent the Dutch from occupying it. It was renovated
subsequently.
Bolgatty island-This picturesque island has a palace
built by the Dutch in 1744 A.D. which is now run as a hotel
by the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation.
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