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.
