Recreations :

The City
There is no better way to explore this Historic Port city than by staying at the very same place where the saga unfolded 500 years ago. Believed to have been built by Vasco da Gama in 1498. The city still retains its character style and pace of its early inhabitants. Today, thankfully Fort Cochin has been declared a Heritage Zone and hopefully will retain its place in history so that future generations get an opportunity to get a glimpse of its colorful past.

No remains of the Fort survived however a walking tour of Fort Cochin and Mattancherry will be an unforgettable experience. The staff of Brunton Boatyard gives the guests directions and even get a map to help them discover the ancient city.

Fort Cochin
Cochin was born in a storm, nurtured in rivalry, and established as the Crossroads of the Battling Empires of Europe: Portuguese, Dutch and British.

Chinese Fishing Nets
In the 1340's torrential rains filled the Periyar River which broke through to the Arabian Sea and fonned Cochin's protected harbor. Trading ships soon sailed in: and out. The much-photographed Chinese fishing nets at the harbor-mouth, best seen at sunset, testify to Cochin's pre-European association with China.

Churches
In 1502, Portuguese Seafarer Vasco da Gama came to Cochin seeking spices and converts. He found his spices, launched Europe's great Age of Exploration: and prayed in the first European church in Asia. Vasco da Gama died in Cochin on Christmas Day 1524 and was buried in this church. Though his remains were later removed to Portugal, his grave is marked with a plaque and a brass rail.

St. Francis Church
Portuguese headstones and those of their successors are embedded in the walls of St. Francis Church. Reputedly named after the gentle Italian, St. Francis of Assisi is associated with the Spanish missionary, St. Francis Xavier, who is said to have worshiped here.

Jew Town
European Jews, fleeing persecution at home, settled in Jew Town near the Mattancherry Palace of the Hindu king and prospered. Many Jewish families have now migrated but their beautiful four-century-old Synagogue still has the Scrolls of the Law. Gold crowns gifted by dignitaries down the ages, chandeliers and a brass-railed pulpit. Unique Willow Pattern tiles in this place of worship speak the Cochin Jew's once thriving trade links with China. Over1ooking this Jewish Synagogue, protectively, is the Mattancherry Palace of the former rajas of Cochin. Today it holds royal planquins, weapons, robes and beautiful murals of ancient Hindu epics painted in vegetable dyes.

Stuber Hall
Above the gateway to Stuber Hall, the crest of the Dutch East India Company has been proudly preserved. To this day, some families in Cochin bear Dutch names and claim descent from the old merchant princes of Holland. Though the old Portuguese fort has been reduced to just a Bastion House, the Fort Cochin area became, a center of Britain's trading interests. Today, the Cochin Club, a mock half-timbered mansion, and the Old Harbor House.

Trading Houses
Also from the days of the British Raj are the trading houses, still dealing with spices, coir, rubber and tea. Though they are Indian-owned, their names reflect their British Empire origins. Carrit Moran: Peirce Leslie; J Thomas: Forbes, Ewart and Figgis; Matheson Bosan quet ...to name a few.

Boats
The best way to enjoy Cochin is to get on one of the innumerable boats that ply these waters and cruise around.