List of tourist attractions in Kochi

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Popularly known as the Queen of Arabian Sea,^[2][3][4] the city also flaunts one of the finest natural harbors of the world^[5] and was the centre of the world spice trade for many centuries. Old Kochi (presently called West Kochi), loosely refers to a group of islands which comprise Willingdon Island, Fort Kochi, Mattancherry etc. The city derives its name from the Malayalam word Kochazhi meaning small lagoon

Attractions

• Cochin, the stretch from Kochi Azhi to Munambam Azhi, the serene backwaters are popularly known as Veeranpuzha. It is the northern extension of Vembanad Lake. Vembanad Lake (Vembanad Kayal or Vembanad Kol) is India's longest lake,^[6]
  and is the largest lake in Kerala. It is also one of the largest lakes in India.
• Vembanad Lake
  has made Marine Drive an important tourist destination in Kochi. Hundreds of people, both natives and tourists, throng the walkway during the evenings.
• Santa Cruz Basilica. The famous Kochi-Muziris Biennale
  which is an international exhibition of contemporary art is held in and around here.
• Kochi Rajas. Built in 1865, the palace complex consists of 49 buildings in the traditional architectural style, spreading across in 54 acres (220,000 m²). The complex has an archaeological museum, a heritage museum, a deer park, a prehistoric park and a children's park.^[8]
• Lord Shiva
  . Certain elements of architecture, as for example the nature of its arches and the proportion of its chambers are indicative of European influence in basic Nāluketttu style.
• football stadium, it has played host to a number of international cricket
  and football matches. The extensive grounds of the stadium serve as venue for important exhibitions, cinema events and political rallies in the city. The stadium is equipped with floodlights for night play. The architecture of the stadium is unique compared to other stadium in India.
• Kingdom of Cochin. It is also referred to as the Cochin Jewish Synagogue or the Mattancherry Synagogue. The synagogue is located in the quarter of Old Cochin known as Jew Town,^[9] and is the only one of the seven synagogues in the area still in use. The complex has four buildings. It was built adjacent to the Mattancherry Palace temple on the land given to the Malabari Yehuden community by the Raja of Kochi, RamaVarma
  . The Mattancherry Palace temple and the Mattancherry synagogue share a common wall.
• Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica, a church built originally by the Portuguese and elevated to a Cathedral by Pope Paul IV in 1558, was spared by the Dutch conquerors who destroyed many Catholic buildings. Later the British demolished the structure and Bishop Dom Gomez Vereira commissioned a new building in 1887. Consecrated in 1905, Santa Cruz was proclaimed a Basilica by the Pope John Paul II
  in 1984. This magnificent church is a must-see destination for tourists who come to Kochi.
• Bolgatty island in Kochi. One of the oldest existing Dutch palaces outside Holland, this quaint mansion, built in 1744, by Dutch traders, was later extended and lush green gardens were landscaped around it. The building was then the Governor's palace for the Dutch and later in 1909 was leased to the British
  . It served as the home of the British Governors, the seat of the British Resident of Cochin during the British regime. In 1947, when India gained independence, the palace became the property of the state and later was converted into a heritage hotel resort.
• Bolgatty Island
  .
• Lord Willingdon
  , a former British Viceroy to India. Southern Naval Command, Cochin Harbour, Port Trust headquarters, the best hotels in the city, and major trading centers are situated at Willingdon Island.
• Parasurama
  , the mythological sage who is said to have created Kerala. Other attractions include a contemporary art gallery, doll collection, and art exhibition space etc. Kerala Museum is located at NH Edappally.
• St.Francis Church, originally built in 1503, is the oldest European church in India^[10][11] and has great historical significance as a mute witness to the European colonial struggle in the subcontinent.^[12]
• Mar Thoma I
  and other venerated fathers of the Orthodox faith. The church was consecrated in 1751, and was renovated later in 1974. Considering the historic importance of the Koonankurish Pally, the Holy Synod elevated the status of the Church and declared it a historic monument as well as a pilgrim center. At present, the church is being renovated again in the 15th century architecture with eco-friendly construction process using compressed soil bricks with no steel and less cement.
• Fort Emmanuel (Immanuel) is a former Portuguese fort at the Fort Kochi beach.
• Vypeen island
  .
• Kodungallur Bhagavathy Temple Kodungallur, (anglicised name: Cranganore), is a municipality in the Southwestern border of Thrissur district of Kerala, India. Kodungallur is 29 kilometres (18 mi) northwest of Kochi. It is postulated that the ancient city of Muziris (Muchiripattinam, Mahodayapuram/Vanchi) was devastated by natural calamities—a flood or an earthquake—in 1341. Kurumba Bhagavati Temple (alternatively Kodungallur Bhagavati Temple) is a Hindu temple at Kodungallur
• Parikshit Thampuran Museum
• Kanjiramattom Mosque
• Bastion Bunglow
• Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary This biosphere reserve located at Central Cochin is a natural habitat to many endangered and regular species of local and migratory birds, as well as mangrove vegetation. In 2006, the sanctuary was home to 194 birds of 32 species.

Around Kochi

• sambar, and lion-tailed macaque. Plantations in the area contain teak, bamboo, and eucalyptus. The river initially runs smoothly but becomes more turbulent as it nears Athirappilly. At Athirappilly Falls, the water surges around big rocks and cascades down in three separate plumes. Below the falls, the river remains turbulent for about 1 kilometre (0.6 mi) until it reaches Kannamkuzhi. Then it calms and flows smoothly until reaching the dam at Imburmuzhi
  .
• Vypin Island
  .
• Adi Sankara
  , one of India's foremost philosopher-saints who preached the Advaita or monastic philosophy.
• Salim Ali
  /Thattekad Bird Sanctuary, where visitors can see different varieties of birds and animals. The Idamalayar reservoir is about 12 km distance from the site.
• Chottanikkara Temple is a famous temple of the Hindu mother goddess Bhagawati. Bhagawati is one of the most popular deities in the area, and she is worshipped at the temple, along with Lord Vishnu, in three different forms: as Saraswati in the morning, draped in white; as Bhadrakali at noon, draped in crimson; and as Durga in the evening, decked in blue. Chottanikara Magam is the famous religious festival in the temple.
• Paliam Palace, Chendamangalam is about 42 km from Kochi. The Paliam Palace, residence of the Paliath Achans, hereditary Prime Ministers to the former Maharajas of Kochi, is one of the architectural splendours of Kerala. It is over 450 years old and houses a collection of historic documents and relics.
• Malayattoor is one of the most prominent Christian pilgrim centers in the Ernakulam district of Kerala. The Malayatoor Church of Cochin attracts a large number of devotees from not just Kerala, but also all over India. St. Thomas is believed to have landed in Kerala at Kodungallur (Cranganore) in AD 52. Oral tradition says that while travelling through Malayattor, faced with hostile natives, he fled to the hilltop where he is said to have remained in prayer and that he left his footprints on one of the rocks. According to beliefs, during prayer, he touched a rock, and blood poured from it.
• Kadamattom Church
  is one of the most famous churches in India. The church was built around the 10th century AD in Indo-Persian architecture. The church is famous for a priest - "Kadamattathu kattanar" - who was known for his supernatural powers. The church also possesses an ancient Persian Cross in one of its Madbaha walls. Poyedam Well and chapel is also another tourist attraction. This church is under the Kandanad Diocese of Jacobite Orthodox Church.

• Pazhoor, Piravom

•  
• Kandanad St. Mary's Orthodox Church is the oldest church in the suburbs of Kochi. Most beautiful altar works can be seen here. This church is in the administration of the Orthodox Church. There is the tomb of the successor of St. Thomas the Apostle, Marthoma IV. He was ruling the whole church by staying in this church as headquarters.
• Njarakkal
  .

Vallarpadam Church

Gallery

• 
  The Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium
• 
  High Court of Kerala
• 
  International Container Transshipment Terminal, Kochi in a blue hour
• 
  Kadamattom Church
• 
  View of the waterfall from the cliff
• 
  The Paradesi Synagogue in Kochi

See also

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Kochi.

• Tourism in Kerala

References

1. ^ ^{a b c} "Kochi: Queen of tourists' hearts too". The Hindu. Retrieved 28 August 2018.
2. ^ "Kochi, known as the Queen of Arabian Sea, tucked in the beauty of coconut palms and endless blue waters is one of the important towns in south India, with a natural harbour". Retrieved 21 February 2008.
3. ^ "The port City-Queen of Arabian Sea- Complete Information on Cochin". Retrieved 21 February 2008.
4. ^ "Places to visit in Ernakulam (Cochin)- The Queen of Arabian Sea". irisholidays.com. Retrieved 21 February 2014.
5. ^ "Cochin Travel Guide, Cochin in Kerala, Travel To Kochi in India, Travel to Cochin City". Retrieved 20 February 2008.
6. ISBN 81-902505-2-3
7. ^ The Official Website of Ernakulam District
8. ^ The magnificent hill palace at Thripunithura (Thiruvankulam panchayat, ernakulam district of Kerala), was once the headquarters of the illustrious Kochi Royal family Archived 15 October 2008 at the Wayback Machine
9. ^ ^{a b} The Paradesi Synagogue, Cochin, India. Database of Jewish Communities, The Museum of the Jewish People at Beit Hatfutsot. Accessed online 13 February 2007.
10. ^ "St. Francis Church". Wonderful Kerala. Retrieved 21 February 2008.
11. ISBN 81-902505-2-3
12. ^ "St. Francis Church, Kochi". Wonderful Kerala. Retrieved 21 February 2008.
13. ^ "Mattanchery Church".
14. ^ "Athirappilly - Vazhachal." Suni Systems (P) Ltd. Retrieved on 3 August 2007.