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.
|
