| Places around Paradesi Synagogue |
| Bolghatty Island |
| On the Bolghatty Islands, the splendid Bolghatty Palace is located in the Cochin city of Kerala. During the pre-British times, the palace is the oldest existing palaces built by the Dutch in India. This palace was initially built as a villa later extended and lush green gardens were added all around it. The palace has slowly metamorphosed into an esteemed heritage hotel in the middle of a fabulous garden. The spectacular backwaters of Cochin as the background and the scenery around the palace are simply breathtaking. Tastefully decorated bedchambers and a huge lounge, historical portraits are displayed in the two-storey building, Hotel Boghatty Palace. A mini golf course, swimming pool, Ayurvedic centre and daily Kathakali performances are some of the other services provided to the guests at the hotel. |
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| Chinese Fishing Nets |
Locally know as Cheena vala, the Chinese fishing nets of Cochin are the main tourist attraction. This is an unusual form of fishing where the fishing nets are fixed land installations. Horizontal nets of 20 m or more are hold on by huge mechanical contrivances. At least 10 m high and comprises a cantilever with an outstretched net suspended over the sea and large stones suspended from ropes as counterweights at the other end is the part of each fishing net and operated by a team of up to six fishermen.
Depending on the state of the tide, different installations will be operated as each installation has a limited operating depth. Some suppose that the nets were introduced by the Chinese explorer Zheng He. |
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| Fort Kochi Beach |
| Fort Kochi Beach is regarded as one of the most beautiful places in Kerala. Fort Kochi Beach is a lovely picnic spot or a favorite weekend Getaway and can enjoy in the cascading waves and get the pleasure of being pampered by nature. The beach is also quite famous for its remarkable fishing nets. The annual Kochi Festival held on the white sands of the Fort Kochi Beach is a major tourist's attraction. |
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| St. Francis Church |
| St. Francis Church dedicated to Santo Antonio, the patron Saint of Portugal, is the first European Church in India. The church was originally built in 1503 and has great historical significance as a mute witness to the European colonial struggle in the subcontinent. The dawn of Christianity in South Asia dates back to the arrival of Saint Thomas at Kodungallur in Kerala in 52 AD and establishment of the seven churches. European Christians came to Kerala many centuries after that. The Portuguese explorer, Vasco da Gama, died in Kochi in 1524 when he was on his third visit to India. His body was originally buried in this church, but after fourteen years his remains were removed to Lisbon. The church became a protected monument in April 1923 under the Protected Monuments Act of 1904. |
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