Fort Cochin is the first township in the commonwealth, located in the shores of the Arabian sea. Fort Cochin is still dotted by centuries old colonial buildings, churches and most importantly, its European life style, its air of genteel decay and stubborn self-absorption. It is a place where history, like a friendly phantom, still stalks the lonely streets. The Europeans have left random imprints in Fort Cochin. The massive buttresses, which are a conspicuous feature of the place, were put up by the British to protect the houses that had been shaken by the force of an explosion that blew up the Santa Cruz Cathedral. In fact, they themselves had bombarded the church, fearing a possible restoration of Dutch supremacy in Cochin. In spite of it, the renovated Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica still stands in a spirit of sturdy resistance. St. Francis church, is the oldest European church in India and it was built by Portuguese in 1503 A.D. The Dutch restored it, and later the British converted it into an Anglican Church. Vasco Da Gama, who discovered a sea route to India from Europe, was buried here.

Chinese fishing nets are a hallmark of Fort Cochin. They speak of the first traders who visited this coast during 1350 - 1450 A.D. These nets are built using teak wood and bamboo poles. They can be best viewed in use at 'Vasco Da Gama Square', at the seashore in Fort Cochin. From this same location, you can view the passing of ships into and from the Cochin port, which is a very busy port in South India. Jewish trading community built the Jewish Synagogue in 1568 A.D.. It is famous for its eighteenth century chinese hand painted, willow-patterned floor tiles, each tile being unique in design. There are Hebrew inscriptions on stone slabs, great scrolls, old testaments, Belgian Chandeliers and much more. Also there are other important historical monuments in Fort Cochin.