St Francis Church+Chinese Nets+Dutch Palace+Synagogue=Cochin Walk

St. Francis church was initially built by the Portuguese in 1503 as a Catholic church dedicated to St. Bartholomew. Later the Dutch converted this into a Protestant Church rededicating it ot St. Francis. Subsequently the British made it an Anglican Church and it remains so to this day. This Church stands mute testimony to the Eurpoean colonization and its effects on this region. Vasco da gama, the discoverer of Sea Route to India, was buried here when he died during his third visit in 1524. But later his remains were moved to Lisbon. Apart from all the tombstones gathered over centuries, the church also still retains the old hand-operated pankhas (fans) that were used earlier.

The Chinese Fishing Nets, suspended in mid air and standing on the beach, is perhaps the most photographed sights in Cochin. Especially during sunrise and sunset, silhouetted against the sky. This techniques of fishing is believed to have been introduced in Cochin by Chinese explorer Zheng He, from the court of the Kubla Khan sometime during 14th Century.

Though the Cochin Spice Market has lost much of its earlier glory, it has retained its status as an important centre of spice trade. The exotic odour of the finest ginger, cloves, cardamom, turmeric and pepper, also known as black gold, emanate from the spice warehouses lining the street and fills it. The bustling trade of spices is evidenced in the trucks going to and away from the warehouses, loads being taken in and out using pushcarts, and the sight of workers drying, sorting and packing spices. And as in the olden days, both Europeans and Arabs still come to Kochi and leave her shores with precious cargo.

The Mattancherry Palace, also known as Dutch Palace, is one of the finest examples of the Kerala style of architecture interspersed with colonial influences. It was built around 1545 C.E. by the Portuguese as a present to King Veera Kerala Verma of Kochi dynasty. It came to be known as the Dutch Palace as it underwent major repairs at the hands of the Dutch. It is famous for its long and spacious halls along with its central courtyard. It is also the home of the deity of the royal family, Pazhayannur Bhagavathy.

The Jewish synagogue was built in 1568, almost 1500 years after the beginning of the Jewish connection with Kerala. It was built on the land, adjacent to the Mattancherry Palace, given by the erstwhile king of Cochin. The synagogue, the oldest in the Commonwealth, was built by the Jewish community of Cochin. In 1662, it was destroyed by the Portguese and then reconstructed, two years later, by the Dutch.

Jew Town, a narrow street between Mattancherry Palace and the Synagogue, is a favourite haunt of antique hunters. Some of the most pristine and historically relevant artefacts of our times have been unearthed by our visitors here. While a huge bronze vessel catches your eye first, each of the shops here contains beautiful items with quirky and interesting stories. They are like fractions of history, waiting for the right person to come and finally claim them.