Fort Kochi

Located alongside the Arabian Sea, Fort Kochi is a very old area that is the result of the influences of the Portuguese, Dutch, and British over the last centuries. In fact, it is a popular destination for people who are attracted by the architectural style of the colonial era, cultural and historic monuments, and the unique Chinese fishing nets. This seaside dwelling takes its visitors through the past, art, and the customs. Fort Kochi is a place where people coming from Ernakulam can spend a day full of pleasure. Why? Because it is just 10 km away from Ernakulam.

Origins and Historical Significance

Known also as Fort Cochin, the area revolves around the story of Fort Manuel of Cochin, the first European fort built on Indian soil by the Portuguese. Fort Kochi, which was a part of the Old Cochin group of islands, is adjacent to Mattancherry; thus, combined together, they are a window to the past of multicultural Kerala.

The origin of the name "Fort Kochi" is assigned to "kochu azhi," which means "small lagoon" in Malayalam. The area boasts of buildings on its road that are the result of an architectural heritage of the Portuguese, Dutch and British era and the mix of the old colonial charm and the present-day cafes, galleries, and shops.

Cultural and Architectural Highlights

The quaint and handsome, yet also rugged and historical, Fort Kochi has numerous historical and cultural landmarks. Besides that, the St. Francis Church, the oldest European church in India, and the Dutch Cemetery, both of which are to be found in the area, are testimonies to the region’s colonial past. These places explain the past of the colonizers, while the other three Thakur House, Vasco House, and Maritime Museum, - by revealing the life of settlers and explorers provide a better acquaintance with the region. For the past 500 years, the Chinese fishing nets have been the go-to place for the people of the area who want to find its most emblematic signs.

Wander through areas covered with stones and find treasures like the Jewish Synagogue, Mattancherry Palace, and Santa Cruz Basilica. At the same time, one can unwind at Mahatma Gandhi Beach, take a dive in the art world at Mocha Art Café or Uru Art Harbour, and feel the energy at the Kerala Kathakali Centre. The food is not left out. Local eateries serve authentic Kerala cuisine that perfectly complements the cultural exploration.

Experiencing Fort Kochi

Also, you can safely and conveniently take a ferry ride from the local jetty to the other parts of Kochi. Moreover, a city water tour gives you more of what you want - both a practical, thoughtful way of getting around and a delightful new viewpoint of the town from the river.

Fort Kochi is a blend of history, art, and seaside beauty that makes it an irresistible place to go to, wherein every single street, every single building, and every single shoreline of the city communicates the stories of a time long gone by, yet at the same time, it is open to fresh ideas and creativity of the present.

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Contact Information

District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC)
Opp. Rajendra Maidan, Park Avenue Road,
Cochin-11, 682011
+91 484 236 7334
info@dtpcernakulam.com