Jewish holidays. The boasts of Rabbi gives visitors a full account of the synagogue and the history of the Jews in Kerala. Although this ancient community of Cochin has new dwindled to Hebrew language remain in Jew Town.

St. Francis Church, Fort Cochin : Reputed to the the oldest church in India built by the Europeans (The Protestant church was built originally by the Portuguese in AD 1510 and is believed to be the first church built by Europeans in India). It is situated in Fort Cochin 10 km. away from style and renamed St. Francis of Assisi Church. Vasco Da Gama the Governor of Portuguese territories in India was buried in here before his mortal remains were taken to Portugal, fourteen years after his death. But the original tablet still remains here. Old records of the Church can been seen here. The most important one is the "Doop Book" of the Dutch Baptismal register maintained till 1804. Some old cadjan leaf manuscripts preserved in the church give information about the life of the Portuguese and Dutch settlers here. Grave stones from the graves of Vasco Da Gama and Portuguese and Dutch are embedded on the walls of Church. Brass tablets in memory of many Europeans especially the English are also embedded on the walls.

Dutch palace, Mattancherry : The Dutch palace or Mattancherry palace was originally built by the Portuguese and presented to the Raja of Cochin, Veera Kerala Varma in 1555. It was later taken over by the Dutch who improved it through extensions and repairs in 1663. Since then it came to be called the Dutch Palace though at no time did the Portuguese nor the Dutch stayed there. Today it is a portrait gallery of the Cochin Rajas. The double storied quadrangular building surrounds a central courtyard containing a Hindu Temple. In the centre is the coronation hall where the Cochin Rajas held their ceremonious coronation. On display here are the dresses, turbans, weapons and palanquins from that era. The highlight of the palace is the 17th century mural paintings of mythological figures and scenes from Ramayana in the tradition of Hindu temple art. The floor of the palace reveals the unique traditional Kerala technique of achieving a polished black surface by combining egg white, coconut shell, charcoal and lime and accomplishment worth admiring Timings: 10 am to 5 pm. Closed of Fridays and National Holidays.

Cochin (Kochi) is palm-green commercial town of Kerala and the city consist of the mainland Ernakulam, Willingdon Island, Mattancherry, Fort Cochin, Vypeen Island and Bolghatty Island. Ernakulam is the modern city where shopping market, basaar etc are located. From time immemorial, Arab, Chinese, Dutch and British and Portuguese seafarers followed the sea route to Kochi and left their impression on the town. The Chinese fishing nets swaying in the breeze over backwaters, the Jewish Synagogue, Dutch Palace, Portuguese architecture, Boghatty Palace in Kochi enrich the heritage of Kerala.

Jewish Synagogue, Mattancherry : The Synagogue at Mattancherry built in 1568, The Great Scrolls of the Old Testament, the Copper Plates on which the grants of privilege made by the Cochin rulers were recorded and the exquisite Chinese hand-painted tiles are of interest, is the oldest Synagogue in the Common Wealth Countries. It was partially destroyed in the war of 1662, but was rebuilt by Dutch. In the mid 18th century the clock tower was added. Its floors are paved with exquisite had painted blue-willow tiles imported from China. Of these no two tiles are alike. The great scrolls of the old testament the copper plates in which the grands of privilege made by the Cochin Rules were recorded and the exquisite Chinese and Painted Tiles are of great interest. The Synagogue is open from 10 am to 12 noon and 3 pm to 5 pm on all days except Saturdays and

etchings are displayed in the museum which is located on the Ernakulam - Chottanikkara route. Also on show are other trappings of royalty like majestic beds ,weapons and samples of epigraphy.

Museum of Kerala History, Edappally : Important scenes of Kerala history are portrayed through through Sculptures. Greeting the visitor outside is a statue of Parasurama ,the mythological safe who is said to have created Kerala. The other places worth visiting are Alwaye, situated 20km north of Ernakulam on the banks of river Periyar, Chottanikkara Bhagavathy temple which is an important pilgrim place for Hindus Kalady, Malayattoor which is located on the slopes of the Western Ghats & is an important Christian pilgrim centre, Bhoothathankettu, Thattekad Bird Sanctuary etc.

Other Information

Location : Kerala is a narrow strip of land located on the south western edge of the Indian Subcontinent. It is sandwiched between the Western Ghats mountain range on the East and the Arabian Sea on the West.

Climate : The warm tropical climate recommends light cotton clothes, waterproofing is essential during monsoons.


Access

By Air : International Air Port at Nedumbassery, near Aluva, about 22 kms away from Ernakulam.

By Train : Kochi has 3 stations. Ernakulam Junction, Ernakulam Town and Cochin Harbour Terminus. These 3 stations are connected on broad gauge line. This line links all the three railway stations to Thiruvanthapuram, Mangalore and Mangalore to Chennai. Trains from the Northern cities/Southern parts of India stops at Ernakulam Junction. None of the through trains on the main trunk route goes to the Cochin Harbour Terminus station at Willington Island.

By Road : KSRTC Central Bus station is near the Junction railway station. It runs Fast services from Ernakulam to other major cities within Kerala and into the neighbouring states. Reciprocal services from other STCs are also available. Enquiry phone : 2352033, 2372033
There are plenty of private buses available for travel from Ernakulam to other cities. They operate from High Court Junction, Railway Station and Kaloor Junction.

Ferries : Ferries are the best way of getting about between islands. It reaches faster, cheaper and much more comfortable than buses or autos.
There are two ferry stations in Ernakulam. The main Boat, Jetty is 1 Km from the Junction railway station and the other is near the High Court. There are two Ferry stops in Willington Island 'Embarkation' and 'Terminus'.
Public Ferries are available every 20 minutes from High Court Jetty (Ernakulam) to Vypeen and Bolghatty islands from 6am to 10pm.There is a vehicular ferry service available from High Court Jetty to Vypeen jetty. Kerala State Government Ferry service to and fro is available for every 35 - 45 minutes from Ernakulam Main boat jetty to Mattancherry via Terminus jetty (Willington Island) and to Fort Kochi (Customs jetty) via Embarkation jetty (Willingdon Island). The ticket office opens 10 minutes before each sailing. Sail starts from 6am and ends at 9.30 pm.
There are ferries from Fort Kochi to Vypeen island from 6 am to 10 pm. A vehicular ferry is also available every half an hour. Maximum fare is Rs.3/-.

Local Transport
Auto Rickshaws : Auto-Rickshaws are fairly cheaper than taxi cars. Minimum charge upto 3 Kms is Rs. 7/-. In Ernakulam, auto-rickshaws are the most convenient mode of transport. There are around 800 or more autos running in the city. Pre-paid auto stands (booth) are available at Ernakulam Junction railway station and at Thoppumpady.

Buses : Buses are fairly frequent and cheap in Ernakulam. It connects Ernakulam, Willington, Fort Kochi and many other places. Local passenger buses are coloured in red and pale yellow on top. Minimum charges upto three stoppage is Rs. 2.00

Hire Boats: Motorised boats of various sizes can be hired from the Sealord jetty or from the small dock adjacent to the Main jetty in Ernakulam. They are an excellent way of exploring Kochi harbour at your leisure and without crowds. Rowboats offer to shuttle between Willington Island, Fort Cochin or Mattancherry.

Best time to visit : September to May