Fort Kochi, a land lost in time

'Fort Kochi' is a region of 'Kochi' in Kerala, India. It is lying adjacent to the region of 'Mattanchery'. 'Fort Kochi' has a rich history, since it was under the regime of three different empires, at different times in history. The Portugese, the Dutch and the British have all came and they have all left, leaving behind their own marks, in the form of churches, monuments, museums and other historical treasures.The paved tiles near the beach that lead to sea food restaurants, and lavish villas, looks like the scene from a holly wood movie, that depicts medieval Europe.

local fishermen in Cochin(courtesy: alamy)

                                                                Many people living here still follow the footsteps of their ancestors, following a lifestyle of fishing, carpentry and metal working. But their ways and their lives have not become redundant for people who visit here pay good money to witness them in action and buy their handicrafts.
                               

graffiti drawn on a wall in Fort Kochi

Cochin gets it's name from two words co and chin which is chinese for like- china. The evidence of Chinese culture in the past is evident from the chinese nets that are installed on the shores and decks of beaches. These nets have benn erected here between 1350 and 1450 by traders from the court of kublai Khan. On the old church road in kochi, there is the Bastion Bungalow, built in 1695 by the Dutch East India company, which now houses the sub-collector, of fort Kochi. The Bishop's house, built in the year 1506. It had once been the residence of the Portuguese Governor and is set on a small hillock near the Parade Ground. The facade of the house has large Gothic arches and the building was acquired by Dom Jos Gomes Ferreira, the 27th Bishop of the Diocese of Cochin whose jurisdiction extended over Burma, Malaya, and Ceylon apart from India.

Chinese fishing nets in kochi(courtesy:wikimedia)

                                                            To explore the historic town of Fort Kochi, there is no better choice than setting out on foot. Relax, breathe deeply and just enjoy yourself. At every corner of this island rife with great history, there are memorable moments awaiting you. It is a world of its own, sustaining the legacies of an historic era and still being proud of those days. Walking through these streets takes you back to a world of great history.
                                     
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