Fort Kochi is a historic town brimming with tales of myriad seafaring visitors from around the world who arrived here for trade and eventually settled down on this charming land. It became the first European township in India when the Portuguese made this place their second home in the 15th century. Fort Kochi now forms a part of the city of
Kochi and is located 13 km away from
Ernakulam.
The eventful history of Fort Kochi began in 1341 when a flash flood threw open the estuary at Kochi, turning this land locked region into one of the finest natural harbors in the world. It thus became a haven for sea-traders thus resulting in large foreign settlements in the region; even today the place is home to y 13 communities of various religion and race.
The Dutch took control of Fort Kochi from the Portuguese in 1663; the period under the Dutch rule has been marked as its golden-age during when Fort Kochi developed as a major commercial center as well as a major military base, a vibrant cultural hub and a famous ship building centre in Asia. The British wrested control of the town in 1795, which remained with them until India’s Independence in 1947.
Tourist attractions in Fort Kochi are the Chinese fishing nets along the Vasco Da Gama Square, Fort Kochi Beach, Santa Cruz Basilica, St Francis Church, VOC Gate and Bastion Bungalow. Mattancherry Palace and Jewish Synagogue are other spots worth visiting in the vicinity.
Fort Kochi is accessible by ferry from the main boat jetty at Ernakulam. By bus, it is a roundabout journey of about 45 minutes.
