About
St.
Francis Church, Kochi has great historical significance. It stands as
an evidence of the European colonial struggle in India.
In 1503, the then Rajah of Kochi permitted Alphonso Alburquerque to
build this fort. Within this fort, Alburquerque erected a wooden church
and dedicated it to St. Bartholomew. Dedicating to St. Antony, the
church was newly built in 1516. In 1663, the Dutch army invaded the
place and destroyed all the churches and convents except St. Francis
Church. But in 1804, they voluntarily surrendered it to the Anglicans.
Much later, under the Protected Monuments Act of 1904, the church became
a protected monument in 1923.
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St.
Francis Church of Kochi was originally named as Santo Antonio, the
patron Saint of Portugal. Though it has hardly any architectural merits,
it has been the model of many churches in India. The church has gabled
timber-framed roof covered with tiles. The doors and windows of the
church have semi-circular arches. The facades are flanked on either side
by a stepped pinnacle. The bell turret of St. Francis Church at Kochi
is divided into three compartments. Inside the church, the gravestones
of the Portuguese is on the northern wall and that of the Dutch is on
the southern wall. The gravestone of Vasco-da-Gama at St. Francis Church
in Kochi is a major attraction there. Incidentally, after 14 years of
his death, the remains were taken away to Lisbon in Portugal.
Dutch Palace,Kochi
About
Dutch
Palace, Kochi is more popularly known as Mattancherry Palace. It is
located at Palace Road, 10 km from Ernakulam city, Kochi. The palace was
constructed by the Portuguese and presented to the then Rajah of Kochi,
Veera Kerala Varma.
The Rajahs of Keralas made subsequent
renovations of the palace, giving it a Hindu texture. In fact, it has
become one of the best testimony of the Hindu Temple Art.
The Dutch Palace in Kochi is a two stored building built around a
central courtyard. This traditional style of architecture is known as
'nalukettus' in Kerala. The entrance of the palace is arch shaped, which
leads to the suite of public rooms. The rounded doors and windows, the
masonry walls of Dutch Palace gives it a European look.
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But
the Indian flavor is more prominent in this palace. There is a temple
in the courtyard of the palace, dedicated to the protective God of the
Kochi Royal family, Pazhayannur Bhagavati. There are two more temples on
either side of the Dutch Palace at Kochi, each dedicated to Lord Shiva
and Lord Krishna. The interior wooden panels of Dutch Palace depicts the
weapons, headdresses, robes and palanquins of the Rajas of Kochi. The
mural paintings of Dutch Palace exhibits epic scenes from the puranic
legends like Ramayana and Mahabharata. These paintings are mainly found
in the bed chambers and covers almost an area of 1000 sq ft
Pallipuram Fort, Kochi
About
Pallipuram Fort, Kochi was erected by the Portuguese in 1503. The Pallipuram Fort of Kochi is one of the oldest European forts of India
which houses a rich cultural heritage. The Pallipuram Fort is situated
in the extreme northern part of the Vypeen Islands and heralds a
glorious past within the territory of Kochi.
It is said that the Pallipuram Fort in Kochi was captured by the
Dutch forces in 1661, but the history of Kochi affirms that the Fort was
later sold to the State of Travancore in 1789. Thus, it can be said
that the Pallipuram Fort of Kochi has witnessed a number of lords who
had once been the master of the territory.
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Moreover,
it goes without mention that the Pallipuram Fort at Kochi is one of the
chief destinations of tourism. The grandeur and rich past of the Fort
allures the tourists to pay a visit at this site: tourists from the
different parts of the world come to witness the magnanimity of the
Pallipuram Fort of Kochi. The tourists, in order to reach Pallipuram
Fort, can avail of the ferry service operating from Ernakulam and Kochi to Vypeen: bus services
are also available from Vypeen to Pallipuram. So if are in this
beautiful place of Kochi, do pay a visit to this ancient fort and
unravel the beauty.
Santa Cruz Basilica
About
The name Santa Cruz
Basilica bears a special significance for the Christians residing in
the south-western peninsular city of Kochi, as it celebrated the dawn of
Christianity in the enigmatic land of India.
Legend has it that the Santa Cruz Basilica has been stoutly standing
its ground for a mammoth 500 years which is a spectacular feat in
itself. Although the Santa Cruz Basilica had suffered ugly bruises at
the hand of the robust British invaders in the year 1795, it continues to dazzle the on-lookers with its indelible charm and unparalleled charisma.
On the auspicious occasion of the
500th Anniversary of the Santa Cruz Basilica church in Kochi, the
residents of Kochi had celebrated to their heart's content and displayed
their love and passion through an entire volley of well-coordinated
cultural and religious programs.
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Some
of the related artifacts in Kochi that also deserves equal appreciation
are the cantilevered Chinese nets that were supposed to be used during
fishing. In order to restore the charm and splendor of the Santa Cruz
Basilica of Kochi, some measures were taken so that the annihilated portions of the church could be reconstructed. This operation commenced from the month of November, in the year 1905.
The most gorgeous features of the Santa Cruz Basilica at Kochi include the incredibly beautiful wooden panels
and the pulpit. The interiors of the church are adorned with the
propitious presence of some exquisite paintings of Italian origin.
About
Bolgatty Island of Kochi is a small island which is just a boat ride away from Kochi harbor mouth. The small journey amidst the cool breeze is very interesting. Though the island is accessible only through boat you can take up a train to Ernakulam which is juts 2 kilometers away. The nearest airport to Bolgatty Island in Kochi is Cochin International Airport which is about 22 kilometers from this island.
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At present the Bolgatty Palace at the Bolgatty Island is under the governance of Kerala Tourism Development Corporation i.e., KTDC. KTDC has converted the palace into a heritage hotel with all the necessary luxurious services.
People, who wish to re-visit history, do check in to this lavish heritage hotel at Kochi Bolgatty Island. You can feel the past under the royal ambiance of the palace hotel which proudly boasts of it historical days through its interior decor.
gundu island kochi
About
Gundu Island is the smallest of all the islands that constitute together the city of Kochi. The area of this island in the back waters of Kochi is only 5 acres and the land is mostly covered with coconut trees.
Gundu Island of Kochi is accessible
through boat only from the Vypeen Island which is situated nearby. The
island does not have any accommodation
facility; so you have to return back by the evening. The serene nature
and the cool breeze blowing across the waters, makes this island a
favorite among tourists who visit it for picnics or small excursions.
Since, the Gundu Island at Kochi has
coconut trees all around it, there is a coir factory on the island. And
amazingly, it is the only building on the Gundu Island in Kochi. The factory produces ropes and carpets
from handmade looms and is very beautiful. Most of these ropes and
carpets are bought by the tourists who visit the small island.
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Apart from this, the Kochi Gundu Island can be visited for a picnic with family and friends. The calm and cool nature of the island is something that will leave an everlasting impression on one's mind. And while you are traveling to Gundu Island through Vypeen Island, you are getting the advantage of visiting two beautiful islands. Take out time and visit the Portuguese fort at Pallipuram in the northern edge of Vypeen Island. The fort contains the reminisces of past and attracts thousands of visitors every year.
Kochi to Chendamangalam
About
Take a journey from Kochi to Chendamangalam and you can view the real wealth of Kerala, its natural resources in the form of dense vegetation, water bodies and vast range of wildlife.
The 42 kilometers long journey from
the Ernakulam district of Kochi to Chendamangalam fort is accessible
through roads only because the nearest airport is 20 kilometers away in
Kochi and railway head is also located in Kochi.
People like to go out on excursion
from Kochi to Chendamangalam because of the serene beauty that falls in
between the way. At Chendamangalam, do check out the ancient
Chendamangalam Fort which is one of the oldest forts in India. The 450
years old fort is abode to some historical documents, artifacts and
relics which have now been kept for public display.
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The beleaguering landscape is filled with the innocuous presence of temples, churches and also mosques which is spectacular but at the same time a wee bit weird. This fraction of Kochi also serves as the domicile of the prime minister in the court of Paliath Achans.
You can very easily approach the
Chendamangalam Fort at Kochi as it only lies at a length of 20
kilometers from the Cochin International Airport. You can also reach the
Chendamangalam Fort of Kochi via rail as there are three stations close
to it, namely Ernakulum, Cochin harbor and Ernakulum Junction.
About
The Portuguese are inevitably linked with the south-western city in the peninsula of India, known as Kochi as they had left an indelible imprint on virtually all its spheres.
The Indo Portuguese Museum vouches for
the supreme reign of the Portuguese in Kochi, as it is one of the very
rare buildings that procures a domicile to many of the precious artworks
and other relics belonging to the Indo-Portuguese era.
The Indo Portuguese Museum was in fact
the dream and aspiration of Dr Kureethra, who had served the tenure of
the Bishop of Kochi at some point of his life. The sole objective that
acted behind the erection of this monumental museum known as Indo
Portuguese Museum in Kochi was the zeal to shield his own archdiocese
from jeopardy. Another objective was to precisely bear on the legacy of
his times so that the coming generation could learn something from
them.
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The Indo Portuguese Museum of Kochi had been strategically bifurcated into five sections, each dealing with a different set of articles. These sections can be categorized as Civil Life, Cathedral, Altar, Treasure and Procession. A huge fraction of all antiquities displayed in the Indo Portuguese Museum at Kochi reflects tremendous Portuguese influence.
About
The Maritime Museum Kochi is perhaps one of the most inspiring and at the same time astonishing places in this southwestern city in India. The naval force of India earns the much-coveted recognition of being revered amongst the most robust naval powers in the world and the Maritime Museum in Kochi serves to be a platform to display their valor, patriotism and selfless service towards the country.
The Maritime Museum Kochi proudly
procures an abode to most of the tokens of the major achievements and
triumphs of the Indian navy. On gaining entrance to the Maritime Museum
of Kochi you will be utterly dazzled as you will be able to witness the
glory and glaze of the Indian navy, learn its illustrious history and
get to acquire knowledge regarding the various contributions made by the
great men.
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The
Maritime Museum Kochi is perhaps one of the most inspiring and at the
same time astonishing places in this southwestern city in India. The
naval force of India earns the much-coveted recognition of being revered
amongst the most robust naval powers in the world and the Maritime
Museum in Kochi serves to be a platform to display their valor,
patriotism and selfless service towards the country.
The Maritime Museum Kochi proudly
procures an abode to most of the tokens of the major achievements and
triumphs of the Indian navy. On gaining entrance to the Maritime Museum
of Kochi you will be utterly dazzled as you will be able to witness the
glory and glaze of the Indian navy, learn its illustrious history and
get to acquire knowledge regarding the various contributions made by the
great men.
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