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Fort Kochi
or Fort Cochin was the first European fort built on the
Indian soil in 1530 by Portuguese with the permission of its
then ruler. It was then known as 'Manuel Kotta'. Dutch
gained its possession in 1663 until British wrested it from
them in 1795. Situated on one of the finest natural harbors
of the state, it houses first European township that soon
became an important commercial centre and trade centre that
flourished under the British. It soon became a major
military base, cultural hub, shipbuilding centre and centre
for Christianity, all in one. The highlights of this fort
are VOC Gate, Bastion Bungalow, Jewish Synagogue, Bolgatty
Palace and Chinese Fishing nets.
While the tourists throng to Vasco da Gama Square, where
now-obsolete Chinese fishing nets are still in use, the
stalls surrounding it coin the opportunity by making fresh
delicious seafood and tender coconut available to them. The
Portuguese originally built Dutch Palace within the fort. It
later passed on to Raja of Kochi through the hands of Dutch,
who placed high value on it and it was here that many
coronations of the ruler of the region took place. Leslie
Bungalow from the 19th century belonged to the coffee
merchants who traded off in the name of Pierce Leslie & Co.
and enchants one with its beauty that has distinct
Portuguese, Dutch and native influences on it. Typical wood
panels and waterfront verandahs make it all the more
endearing to the visitors. The church of Santa Cruz
Basilica, the Hill Palace museum, the Jew Town, Museum of
Kerala History, Cherai Beach and St Francis Church, the
oldest European church of India are other architectural
delights of the region. |
