Cochin Heritage Walk - a Detailed View of this City's Fascinating European Influences

You will be transferred by vehicle from your hotel in Cochin to Fort Immanuel, where you will commence your walking tour. Fort Immanuel once belonged to the Portuguese and is a symbol of the strategic alliance, which existed between the Maharaja of Cochin and the Monarch of Portugal, after whom the fort is named. From here walk to Thakur House, built during the colonial era. Considered graceful, it was known as Kunal or Hill Bungalow and was home to the managers of the National Bank of India during the British rule. Today it belongs to Thakur and Company, a renowned tea trading firm.

Walking on you will learn about another colonial structure - David Hall. It was built around 1695 by the Dutch East India Company. The hall is associated with a Dutch commander, who is also admired for a monumental book on the flora of Kerala named Hortus Malabaricus. Moving on, you reach Princess Street famous for the fresh flower shops here. One of the earliest streets of the area, this road has European style residences on both sides. Located here is also Loafer's Corner, a traditional hangout for the fun loving people of Cochin.

Walking northwards from the Loafer's corner, you come across Santa Cruz Basilica, the historic church built by the Portuguese and elevated to a cathedral by Pope Paul IV in 1558. In 1984, Pope John Paul II declared it a Basilica. After having a look at the Burgher Street and the Delta Study, a heritage bungalow built in the year 1808 and now functioning as a high school, you walk down, once again to Princess Street and then to Rose Street. There you will find Vasco house, believed to be the residence of Vasco-da Gama. This traditional and typical European house is one of the oldest Portuguese residences in Cochin. Onward you walk to Ridsdale Road to find the VOC gate, the large wooden gate facing the Parade ground. The gate, built in 1740, gets its name from the monogram (VOC) of the Dutch East India Company displayed on it. Finally you reach Vasco-da Gama Square with a view of the famous Chinese fishing nets at Cochin’s seaside. Here your tour ends and you will be taken back to your hotel in Cochin.