Fort Cochin

In the flood of 1341 our legendry port of Muziris on the Malabar Coast became a mere namesake as the slit ruined the harbour. The same flood opened up a beautiful natural harbour just south of Muziris. Till then a small fishing hamlet, Cochin rose to the levels of some of the best cities of the world in a matter of two decades with the arrival of Portuguese in 1500. The Cochin Maharaja who was under constant threat from his neighbour, Zamorin of Calicut, found a powerful ally in the new visitor and allowed the Portuguese to build a fort in Cochin, which they named after their King Immanuel. In 1663, the Dutch who were becoming more powerful in the Arabian Sea stormed the fort and conquered it by driving out the Portuguese. They reduced the size of the Fort to one third of its original size but made it more stronger with bigger walls and seven bastions. The world conquering British who arrived in Cochin in 1795 did not feel the need for a fort and destroyed the fort wall and most of its Bastions.

Fort Cohin is perhaps the only fort city in the world which can claim the history of three European colonial settlement in succession. The impact and influences of these periods have made a lasting mark on our society and lives.

The Portuguese Catholicism
The Dutch Calvanist Protestianism
The British Cosmopolitianism

Fort Cochin Heritage walk will take you to 31 sites around the old Fort on a 3 Km walk and explain to you the story of the Fort over the centuries and under three European powers. Join us and feel Fort Cochin, experience Fort Cochin and become one with Fort Cochin.