Fort Kochi is a destination of immense historical interest and a jewel in the crown of Kerala with its European heritage and true cosmopolitan temperament.Regarding the origin of its name,the most accepted theory is that the name derives from “kochaazhi” which, in Malayalam, denotes "small lagoon".Mattancherry is the nerve town of old historic cochin.

The historical destination of Fort Kochi was once a fishing village of no significance in the Kingdom of Kochi in pre-colonial Kerala, the territory that would be later known as Fort Kochi was granted to the Portuguese in 1503 by the Rajah of Kochi.Four hundred and forty four years of foreign control of Fort Kochi ended in 1947 with the Indian independence.

Ancient Architecture

Fort Kochi assumes great importance as a historical destination as it has the best preserved history of colonial times with its old colonial roads, tree-lined avenues,quaint little towns and buildings and the magnificent Chinese fishing nets. Walking through the historical destination of Fort Kochi will transport you back to the last years of the 15th century.

The attractions in the historical destination of Fort Kochi are the Portuguese built houses, Churches,villas and other buildings of Indo European architecture, and the Jewish settlements of Mattancherry that house the Jewish Synagogue and the Dutch Palace that are over 400 years old.

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