-| Cochin Tour | -
Cochin
is the fascinating city highly influenced by Potuguese culture. It has got a
beautiful setting with a cluster of islands and gives a blend of medieval Portuguese,
Dutch and English countrysides. Cochin is one of India's largest ports and a
major naval base also.
The notable landmarks of the city are -
St. Francis Church - It is the India's oldest Church constructed by Europeans
in the year 1503. The original stricture was made up of wood but later on it
was during middle of 16th Century, it was rebuilt with stones. Portuguese sailor
Vasco Da Gama, the first European to land in India also died in Cochin in 1524
and was buried here.
Mattancherry - It is a palace built by Portuguese in 1555 and was presented
to the King of Cochin Veera Kerala Varma. This palace is also known as Dutch
Palace due to the substantial renovations made by Dutch in 1663. There are some
astonishing murals in the hall depicting the episodes of Ramayan, Mahabharat
and also the legends from Puranas connected with Shiva, Krishna and Durga. The
palace has got few other galaries which are often kept closed for visitors.
Jewish Synagogue - Originally constructed in 1568, this Synagogue was
destroyed in 1662 and was rebuilt by the Dutch. The most unique features of
this place are the Willow patterned floor tiles which are hand-painted and were
brought from Canton in China. There was an ancient Synagogue here which was
built in 1344 and has ever since disappeared. Only stone slabes with Hebrew
inscriptions from this edifice are found around the present Synagogue.
In addition to the above, Cochin also offers a lot to the visitors in terms
of Chinese Fishing Nets, Santa Cruz Basilica, Parishath Thampuram Museum, Gundu
Islands, Hill Palace Museum, Museum of Kerala History etc.
Special
Indian Tour packages
