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Kochi, India
Fort Kochi is one of India's most atmospheric walking neighborhoods, a compact peninsula where centuries of maritime trade left an extraordinary cultural mosaic. The iconic Chinese fishing nets, cantilevered wooden structures introduced by traders from the court of Kublai Khan, line the waterfront. St. Francis Church is the oldest European church in India, where Vasco da Gama was originally buried. The Jewish Synagogue in Mattancherry, built in 1568, stands in a spice-trading quarter lined with antique shops. The Dutch Palace (Mattancherry Palace) contains superb Kerala mural paintings. The Kochi-Muziris Biennale, India's largest contemporary art festival, fills Fort Kochi's old warehouses and public spaces with installations every two years. Princess Street and Burgher Street are lined with heritage homestays, cafes, and galleries in restored colonial buildings.
explore by interest
Fort Kochi and Mattancherry are connected by a pleasant 30-minute waterfront walk — do the entire stretch in the morning when the fishing nets are in use and the light is best.
October through March offers dry weather and comfortable temperatures. The Kochi-Muziris Biennale (December through March, in even-numbered years) adds a world-class art dimension.