The Commercial Capital of Kerala
A prime tourist destination and also the commercial capital the district represents the modern facet of Kerala. The most cosmopolitan of the state's cities, Ernakulam (Kochi) has been long eulogised in tourist literature as the `Queen of the Arabian Sea'. The beauty of the place is stunningly different and has long-standing maritime importance.

Ernakulam is Kerala's major port, which is strategically located on the East-West trade route. Boasting of one of the finest natural harbours in the world, the city forms the hub around which the city revolves. Most of the city's commercial centres and shops are located in the town called Ernakulam, which also lends its name to the district.

The Backwaters extend east and south of the harbour and contain tiny islands formed naturally over a long time by alluvial deposits from the rivers that empty into them.

Prime Attractions of Ernakulam
» Temples
§ Chottanikkara Temple : Chottanikkara temple, located near Ernakulam enshrines Bhagawati - the mother Goddess, one of the most popular deities in Kerala. Enroute is the Poornatrayesa temple at Tripunitura. The Devi is worshipped along with Lord Vishnu. Together, they are known as Lakshmi-narayana.

» Churches
§ Santa Cruz Cathedral : Close to the St. Francis church, it is Roman Catholic Church, which was also built by Portuguese. It has a beautiful collection of paintings and a decorative ceiling, despite having suffered severe damage when the British fought with the Dutch to take control of Ernakulam.

» Forts & Palaces
§ Dutch Palace : Originally built by the Portuguese in the mid-16th century, the Dutch Palace or Mattancherry Palace is located at Mattancherry. It was presented to the Ernakulam Maharaja in 1555 AD and later taken over by the Dutch who carried out repairs and extended it further.

§ Fort Cochin : The St. Francis Church is located in Fort Cochin, which was built in 1510 AD, by five Portuguese priests who arrived with Albuquerque. The church, the burial site for Vasco da Gama in 1524 AD is said to be the oldest European church built in India.

» Monuments
§ Jewish Synagogue : The oldest synagogue in India, it was built in 1586 AD by the prosperous Jewish community whose links with Kerala began in Kodungalloor in northern Kerala.

It was partially destroyed in the war of 1662 and was rebuilt by the Dutch. In the mid-18th century, the clock tower was added and the floor paved with exquisite hand-painted blue willow tiles from China.

» Others
§ Willingdon Islands : Named after Lord Willingdon, one of the British Viceroys, Willingdon Islands are Kochi's famous islands. Situated between Ernakulam and Mattancherry and separated from both by the Backwaters, it is a man-made island created by using the soil obtained while dredging the Ernakulam harbour to allow vessels with deeper draughts to dock.

§ Koonankurissu : Located in Mattancherry, the place is famous for the oath taken in front of it by the Malankara Syrian Christians, which paved the path for the division of Christians in Kerala into Roman Catholics and Malankara Syrian Christians. Before the split, the Christians were united under the fold of the Catholic Bava of the East.

Excursions of Ernakulam
» Museums
§ Hill Palace Museum : (13 kms from Ernakulam) The museum At Tripunithura, displays the erstwhile wealth and prosperity of the Ernakulam (Kochi) royal family, including the King's throne and crown. Also on show are other trappings of royalty like majestic beds, paintings, carvings, and samples of epigraphy. Tripunithura is also well known for the nearby Chottanikkara Temple and the Tripunithura temple.

§ Museum Of Kerala History : (8 kms from Ernakulam) The museum of Kerala History And Its Makers, is the best place for a quick trip down the ancient lanes of Kerala's history. A statue of Parasuram, the mythological sage who's said to have created Kerala by throwing his axe into the sea, greets the visitors outside the museum.

» Cities
§ Chennamangalam : 42 kms from Ernakulam. It was one of the chief Jewish centres in Kerala. There is an oriental Jewish synagogue in the old Jewish colony. In its vicinity, lie the ruins of the Vypeenkotta seminary built by the Portuguese and an ancient Syrian Catholic Church.

» Heritage
§ Bastion Bungalow : Built in the Indo-European style way back in 1667 AD, Bastion Bungalow get its name from its location on the site of the Stromberg Bastion of the old, Dutch fort.

§ Thakur House : Thakur House, the graceful building holds within itself a reflection of the colonial era. The Bungalow was built on the site of the Gelderland Bastion, one of the seven bastions of the old Dutch fort.

§ Pierce Leslie Bungalow : Pierce Leslie Bungalow the charming Mansion was once the office of Pierce Leslie & Co., the famous coffee merchants. Founded in 1862 AD, this building, a representative of Fort Cochin Colonial Bungalow reflects Portuguese, Dutch and local influences.

§ Bishops House : Built in 1506 as the residence of the Portuguese Governor, the Bishop's House stands on a little hillock near Parade Ground. The facade of the house is characterized by large Gothic Arches and has a circular garden path, winding upto the main entrance.

§ Vasco House : Believed to have been the residence of Vasco da Gama, this is one of the oldest Portuguese residences in Fort Cochin.

§ Koder House : Koder House, the magnificent building constructed by Samuel. S. Koder of the Cochin Electric Company in 1808 AD is a supreme example of transition from colonial to Indo-European architecture.

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