The eventful history of this city began when a major
floodin AD 1341 threw open the estuary at Kochi, till then a land locked
region, turning it into one of the finest natural harbours in the world.
Kochi thus became a haven for seafaring visitors from all over the world
and became the first European township in India when the Portuguese settled
here in the 15th century.
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Visa Info Passport Info The Dutch wrested Fort Kochi from the Portuguese
in AD 1663 and later in the last phase of the colonial saga, the British
took over, the town in 1795. During 1660's, Fort Kochi peaked in stature
as a prime commercial centre and its fame spread far and wide - variously
as a rich trade centre, a major military base, a vibrant cultural hub,
a great ship building centre, a centre for Christianity and so on. Today,
centuries later, the city is home to nearly thirteen communities.
A few interesting sites included in the tour are the Chinese fishing
nets along the Vasco Da Gama Square, Santa Cruz Basilica, St.Francis
Church, VOC Gate, Bastion Bungalow etc. Apart from these architectural
splendors, an array of restaurants serving fresh seafood are also popular
among tourists. The Chinese fishing nets erected on teak wood and bamboo
poles work on the principle of balance. Records say they were first
set up here between AD 1350 and 1450. Vasco Da Gama Square, the narrow
promenade that parallels the beach, is the best place to watch the nets
being lowered and pulled out of the sea.
The Santa Cruz Basilica, a church built originally by the Portuguese
and elevated to a Cathedral by Pope Paul 1V in 1558, was spared by the
Dutch conquerors who destroyed many Catholic buildings. Later the British
demolished the structure and Bishop Dom Gomez Vereira commissioned a
new building in 1887. Consecrated in 1905, Santa Cruz was proclaimed
a Basilica by the Pope John Paul II in 1984
Fort Kochi is also home to one of India's oldest churches - the St.Francis
Church. This was a Roman Catholic Church during the Portuguese rule
from 1503 to 1663, then a Dutch Reformist Church from 1664 to 1804,
and Anglican church from 1804 to 1947. Today it is governed by the Church
of South India (CSI). Another important fact about the church is that
Vasco Da Gama, who died in 1524, was buried here before his mortal remains
were returned to Portugal 14 years later... Each and every structure,
street, door, window and brick in Fort Kochi has several stories to
tell.
Fort Kochi is accessible by bus or ferry. The bus ride from Ernakulam
town, which is nearly 13 km away, takes about an hour and the ferry
ride from Main boat jetty at Ernakulam about 20 minutes
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