St. Francis Church is a granite church set on quiet lawns amidst the bustle of Fort Kochi, 10 kms from Ernakulam. Originally named as Santo Antonio, this protestant church was originally built by the Europeans in India.
Vasco da Gama was buried here in 1524 AD. Though 14 years later his mortal remains were taken to Portugal, the carved gravestone can still be seen in the church.
It also has crypts of Portugese nobles. St. Francis Church was the first church to have been built in the new European influenced style and tradition. The original wooden building of 1510 AD was replaced by the present building around 1546 AD.
Dedicated to the memory of
A cenotaph erected in 1920 AD, in memory of the residents of Cochin who fell in the First Great War was unveiled by the Governor of Madras. The boundary walls were erected in 1924 AD.
Significance
Present General Information Location Unique Features Religious Practices Prime Attractions of Cochin (Kochi) |
Bolghatty Palace
A Scenic island near the city of Ernakulam, Bolghatty is famous for the Bolghatty Palace built by the Dutch in 1744 AD.
Dutch Palace
Originally built by the Portuguese in the mid-16th century, the Dutch Palace or Mattancherry Palace is located at Mattancherry.
It was presented to the Kochi Maharaja in 1555 AD and later taken over by the Dutch who carried out repairs and extended it further. Fort Kochi Beach An obscure fishing village that became the first European township in India, Kochi has an eventful and colourful history. Jewish Synagogue |
