PLACES OF INTEREST IN AND AROUND KOCHI Kochi (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.

WHAT TO SEE  

MATTANCHERRY PALACE: It is also known as Dutch Palace, built the Portuguese and presented to the Raja of Kochi in 1555 AD. It acquired the present name after 1663 when the Dutch carried out extensions and repairs in the palace. AT no time did the Portuguese or Dutch stay here. Its interiors are decorated with murals from the Ramayana and there are some lively displays of royal costumes and palanquins. Timings. 1000 hrs to 17.00 hrs. Closed on Fridays and national holidays.

Jewish Synagogue: in Mattancherry Synagogue is built in 1568 AD. The Great Scrolls of the Old Testment, the copper plates in which the grants of privilege made by the Cochin rulers were recorded and the exquisite Chinese hand-painted tiles are of interest Timing: 1000 hrs to 1200 hrs and 1500 hrs to 1700 hrs. Closed on Sundays and Jewish Holidays.

ST. Francis Church: Fort Kochi The Protestant church was originally built by the Portuguese in 1510 AD and is believed to be the oldest church built by the Europeans in India. It is here the remains of the inveterate traveller, Vasco da Gamma were initially buried and 14 years later, his mortal remains were taken to Portugal.

Sant Cruz Baslica Church: For Kochi The Roman Catholic Church situated close to St. Francis Church and is worth visiting. Some beautiful paintings can be seen here.

Chinese Fishing Nets: Fort Kochi The Chinese Fishing net that line the sea-front and exhibit a mechanical method of catching fish by local fishermen in Fort Kochi. Said to have been brought from China by traders of Kubalai Khan's Court, they are used at high tide.

Bolghatty Palace: Bolghatty Palace is situated in Boghatty Island a narrow palmfringed Island easily accessible from the. mainland. The Palace was built by the Dutch in 1744. Later, it became the seat of the British Resident and today this has been converted into a hotel run by KTDC.

Willingdon Island: A man-made island created from the material dredged while deeping Kochin Port. Situated between the main land Ernakulam and the old town Mattancherry and separated by the backwaters. Willingdon Island is an important part of Kochin. The Government of India Tourist Office, the Southern Naval Command Headquarters, the Seaport, Naval Airport, Railway terminus, Customs House, Cochin Port Office etc are all located in this island.

HILL PALACE MUSEUM Tripunithura-62301 Tel.: 781113.Hill Palace Museum is situated 12 km away from Eranakulam on the Eranakulam Chotanikkara route. Different types of sculptures, collection of rare coins, old weapons, manuscripts in ancient lipis and collection from Cochin Royal Family are exhibited here. Horse riding facility is also available. The Parishith Thampuran Museum situated at the Durbar Hall Ground together with its collection were transferred to Hill Palace Museum in 1997.

Timings: 9.00 hrs to 12.30 hrs. and 14.00 hrs to 16.30 hrs.Closed on Monday and National holidays. Admission: Rs. 10/- per adult & Rs. 5/- per Child. Camera Rs. 20/- Video Camera Rs. 1000/- for photography.

Edappalli, Kochi - 682024 Tel.: 558296Situated at Edappally 10 km on the National Highway from Eranakulam on the Alwaye route. Presents on hour light and sound spectacles of life-size scuptures in concrete, of the makers of Kerala history, together with the background music and commentary with glimpses of the vastness and diversity of Kerala's history over the centuries.Timings

Edappally, Kochi-682 024.The centre for Visual Arts and Gallery Paintings & Sculptures is situated at Edappally about 10km from Ernakulam and located next to Museum of Kerala History. It houses about two hundred original paintings of recognised Indian masters, both contemporary and of the past. There is also a large collection of modern sculptures in marbles, bronze, granite etc.Timings: 10.00 hrs. to 17.00 hrs.