India: Kochi – Old Town

Kochi is a city with over 600 years of colonial history as European powers fought for control of this major trading port. The city came to prominence in the 14th century with the pepper trade and other spices. The Portuguese came in 1500 and established their first Indian colony in Kochi. They built Fort Kochi and introduced Catholicism. The Dutch ousted the Portuguese in 1663, enhancing Kochi’s trade infrastructure. Finally, the British came in 1795, and further developed Kochi as a commercial center. Major attractions are Fort Kochi, St. Francis Church: from 1503, Santa Cruz Basilica from 1558, Chinese Fishing nets along the water dating back to the 14th century, Mattancherry Palace, Jew Town and Paradesi Synagogue (see two previous posts), and Kerala backwater (best viewed from high floors of otherwise mediocre Radisson).