| Kochi | ||
 | ||
| State | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Federated state | Kerala | |
| Inhabitants | 1.463.000 (2005) | |
| Prefix tel | 91 484 | |
| POSTAL CODE | 682 0XX | |
Position
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| Institutional website | ||
Kochi (formerly known as Cochin) is the name of a city in the state Indian of the Kerala.
To know
Geographical notes
Kochi is a city built on the surface of the water, located at the northern end of Lake Vembanad, a lagoon formed by the estuaries of several perennial rivers that have their sources in the not distant western Gathi (Meenachil, Muvattupuzha, Pamba and Periyar). It is the most populous city of the KeralaAt the 2005 census the population in the metropolitan area was 1,463,000. It is located about 200 km north of Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum), the capital of Kerala
When to go
The best time to visit the city is from late December to early January. Some hoteliers consider the October-December period as the high season, months in which the rains are light in Kochin. From 20 December to 10 January is the "Peak Season" with higher prices. In fact, given the proximity of the city to the equatorial line, the annual temperature changes are not very significant. These vary in fact from 20 to 35 ° C. The lowest ever recorded in Kochi was 17 °, the maximum 35 ° C. The humidity varies from medium to high. The rainy season brought by the southwest monsoon runs from June to September. Kochi is also reached by the northeast monsoon that blows from October to December, bringing with it other rainfall but of lesser intensity. The average annual rainfall is quite high (3,500 mm). The days covered are approximately 132 per year.
Background
Kochi began to gain importance in the early 15th century when it saw a migratory flow from the nearby ancient port of Cranganore (Kodungallur) which had gradually silted up. Among these numerous Jewish traders who, according to tradition, had settled on this stretch of coast of the Malabar since the time of the destruction of the Temple of Jerusalem by the emperor Titus (70 AD). When, towards the end of the century, the Portuguese arrived there, the city formed a small kingdom whose kings were committed to opposing the expansionist plans of the kings of Calicut. The newcomers were well received as they were seen as a valid ally against the hegemonic aims of the Zamorin who reigned in Calicut. Thus it was that in 1501 the Portuguese were able to build a fort. Thirty years later St. Francis Xavier founded an apostolic mission there. The Dutch settled in Kochi in 1595 and succeeded in driving out the Portuguese in 1663. Their rule lasted a little over a century. The English, in fact, took possession of their fort in 1793.
How to orient yourself
Kochi: full screen map.At the mouth of the lagoon, at the northern end of the Mattanchen peninsula, is "Fort Cochi", the district where the Portuguese first settled and with various testimonies of the colonial era. The artificial island of Willingdon separates the old town from the mainland, where the Ernakulam district extends.
Other islands that dot Lake Vembanad include:
The island of Bolghatty, (or Ponjikara) - Here is the palace of the same name, the seat of the Dutch governor in the 18th century. The building, austere and gloomy, has now been transformed into a hotel managed by the Kerala Tourism Department (Kerala State Tourism Department)
How to get
By plane
Kochi International Airport is located in Nedumbassery, approximately 27 km north-east of the center. Pending the construction of the railway connection, the usual means of transport to / from the center remains the prepaid taxi. Some of the companies operating on international routes are:
- Air Arabia - (From / to Sharjah)
- Air India - (From / to Dammam, Jeddah, Kuwait, Riyadh)
- Air-India Express (From / to Abu Dhabi, al-'Ayn, Bahrain, Doha, Dubai, Muscat, Salalah, Sharjah)
- Emirates Airline (From / to Dubai)
- Etihad Airways (From / to Abu Dhabi)
- Gulf Air (From / to Bahrain)
- Jazeera Airways (From / to Dubai, Kuwait)
- Kuwait Airways (From / to Kuwait)
- Mahan Air (From / to Bandar Abbas, Dubai)
- Oman Air (From / to Muscat)
- Qatar Airways (From / to Doha)
- Saudi Arabian Airlines (From / to Dammam, Jeddah, Riyadh)
- Singapore Airlines
- Silkair (From / to Singapore)
- SriLankan Airlines (From / to Colombo)
- Tiger Airways (From / to Singapore)
Domestic flights are operated by the following companies:
- Air Deccan (Bangalore, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Thiruvanathapuram)
- Air India (Chennai, Mumbai, Thiruvanathapuram)
- Air India Express (Calicut, Goa, Mangalore, Mumbai, Thiruvanathapuram)
- Go Air (Mumbai, Delhi)
- IndiGo Airlines (Bangalore, Delhi, Goa, Hyderabad)
- Spice Jet (Bangalore, Delhi)
On the train
There are two main railway stations in the city: "Ernakulam Junction" and "Ernakulam Town". One or the other is generally referred to as the south and north station respectively.
How to get around
What see
Kochi's main attractions are located in the old part of the city, in the Fort Cochi area. There are:
- Dutch palace (It faces Willingdon Island). It was actually built by the Portuguese in 1557 on behalf of the local raja. At the temple of Dutch dominion it became the seat of the governor but was given back to the raja who embellished it with frescoes representing scenes from the Ramayana still visible today in the king's bedroom (palliyara). Other frescoes are visible in the stairway room or "kovinthalam" and in other rooms on the ground floor but date back to a later period.
- Santa Cruz Cathedral. It was founded by the Portuguese in 1557. It was destroyed in 1795, during the battle between the English and the Dutch for the possession of Kochi. The current building dates from the early 20th century. The church was consecrated in 1904. In 1984 it was elevated to the rank of Basilica by Pope John Paul II.
- Church of San Francesco. This church was also built by the Portuguese. For a short time it housed the remains of Vasco de Gama before they were transferred to Portugal in 1538. Inside the church there are tombstones of Portuguese and Dutch characters.
- Paradesi Synagogue. It is located behind the Dutch palace in the heart of the Mattancherry district, where a small Jewish community still lives today. It is a very modest building erected between 1566 and 1568. Inside are kept the copper plaques with the deed of donation of Bhaskara Ravivarman, king of Chera (962 - 1019) which he granted to a Jewish merchant, such Joseph Rabbane, permission for him and his people to settle in the port of Cranganore. Kochi Jews were divided into two groups: white Jews (Paradesi) and black Jews, mixed with the local population who had moved away from original Judaism and practiced particular rites. Once the Portuguese settled in Kochi, they brought the inquisition and many Jews were persecuted. After the creation of the state of Israel, many preferred to return to their homeland and today the community is reduced to a flicker. The floor of the Synagogue is covered with 18th century painted majolica from Canton. There are also some crystal candelabra from Belgium.
Events and parties
What to do
Shopping
How to have fun
Where to eat
Where stay
Moderate prices
- Fort Queen Hotel, Manthra Road (Close to the Santa Cruz Cathedral), ☎ 91 484 2210943, 91 484 2210944, 91 484 2210945, fax: 91 484 2226874, @[email protected].
-from 29 to 70 € depending on the season and the type of accommodation selected. Third category hotel opened at the end of 2005. It has 15 rooms and 3 suites. There is a gym center. The restaurant specializes in continental, Chinese and of course traditional Kerala cuisine.
-from 29 to 70 € depending on the season and the type of accommodation selected. Third category hotel opened at the end of 2005. It has 15 rooms and 3 suites. There is a gym center. The restaurant specializes in continental, Chinese and of course traditional Kerala cuisine.Average prices
- Fort Heritage, Napier street nº 1/283 (Close to Fort Kochi beach), ☎ 91 484 2215333, 91 484 2215455, 91 484 2216901, 91 484 2215903. Prices from 69 to 95 €. The price includes breakfast..
- Old Courtyard, Princess Street, Fort Kochi, ☎ 91 484 2216302, 91 484 2215035.
High prices
- Malabar House (In front of the church of S. Francesco, in the area of Fort Kochi).
- Brunton Boatyard (In the area of the fort). Hotel on the shores of the lake, in an old Victorian mansion, completely restored.
