Fort Kochi, India
History on the Water
July 14, 2013
All the paths we have been on
There is a chance to bridge the line
Between two points ruptured in time
- Carbon Leaf
The series of long causeways that link Fort Kochi with the rest of the city are very reminiscent of Miami. The quasi-islands are divided by waterways that are lined by palm trees with high rise apartment buildings towering above it all. Of course it doesn’t even come close to comparing to the opulence of Miami but the general aura is there. At least until the final bridge ends and you descend into the chaos of Indian traffic and commotion of life amidst the hot and humid air. It was probably just as chaotic in the past when it served as the capital of the spice trade for traders from around the world. Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama even died in Kochi and was buried for a short while at the St. Francis Church. The church was built in 1503 and is the oldest European church in all of India. However, the nearby Santa Cruz Basilica is much more impressive. The rich interior is filled with vibrant color and exotic detail while impressive paintings line the ceiling of the central walkway. Jew Town holds the Paradesi Synagogue which was built in 1568 after Jews were allowed to seek refuge here from the violence of the Crusades. The Chinese fishing nets on the edge of Vasco da Gama square are a tourist draw for Indians and foreigners alike. There is no denying the multicultural past of the city; this tapestry of history gives it a character that Bangalore, for all its “modernity” and recent growth, seems to lack.