Destination Cochin>> Tourist information and travel guide on Cochin, sightseeing in Cochin, Chinese Fishing Nets,  beaches, Fort Kochi, Jewish Quarter & Synagogue

Kochi, or more familiarly, Cochin is a city of many parts. Around for a long, long time, Kochi played a pivotal role in the development of shipping and trade in the region. Kochi's prime location on the west coast, its fine bay and protected harbour made it popular with seafarers and merchant ships who made frequent stops to stock up on spices, coffee and wood enroute to the rich markets of Europe and West Asia. And so down the ages, Kochi prospered as a busy port city and commercial centre. Its seafront is still extremely relevant to Cochin and to India: it houses a Naval Base and one of India’s busiest ports. It’s twin city, Ernakulum, is an important railhead and industrial centre.

Kochi's location between the blue, blue waters of the Arabian Sea and Kerala’s emerald backwaters, its rich medley of Indian and foeign architeture, its truly unusual sights like the Chinese fishing nets and its quaint quiet localities like the Jewish Quarters demand the attention of all who travel to Kerala. Cochin's Jewish Quarter is another story - the ancestors of Cochin's Jews came here two thousand years ago, got involved in the spice trade, prospered and stayed back to build a new life free from religious persecution. Sadly, the population dwindled significantly with immigration to Israel and the few families that still live here struggle to maintain their cultural heritage like the beautiful Synagogue.

Explore the city thoroughly: it’s bound to have you hooked, just like it had the Jews.

For detailed state information, see Kerala.