Ruined fortresses and European churches: delve into the history of southern India and discover its colonial legacy on this free walking tour of Kochi.
Tour Details
First the Spanish, then the Portuguese and many centuries later the English endowed Kochi with an extensive colonial legacy. To start the free tour, we'll meet next to the famous Chinese fishing nets. It will be fascinating to see how the local fishermen manoeuvre these peculiar fishing gear.
From here, we'll head to the Vasco da Gama Square, where we'll tell you the stories of Portuguese trade and influence in the region. We'll continue exploring the streets until we reach the Church of Saint Francis, the oldest European religious compound in India, where the remains of Vasco da Gama are laid to rest.
Next, we'll head to the Dutch Cemetery, where we'll see the graves of Dutch settlers and talk about their early settlements in the region—you'll be amazed at the mix of cultural influences that have shaped Kochi!
Our next stop will be outside the Indo-Portuguese Museum, a small but impressive museum that houses a collection of art and historical artefacts chronicling the arrival of the Portuguese in India. We'll continue with a visit to the majestic Cathedral Basilica of Santa Cruz, which is noted for its colonial architecture—a perfect place to marvel at the fusion of styles!
Afterwards, we'll pass by the Cochin Cultural Centre and finally, we'll arrive at the Jail of Freedom Struggle, an important historical site where the leaders of Indian independence were imprisoned. There, you'll learn about the struggles and sacrifices that marked the road to independence.
At this last stop, we'll say goodbye after a 2-hour free tour.
Groups
This free tour doesn't admit groups of more than 6 people, even if they book the activity separately. If you're part of a larger group, we recommend booking this private tour of Kochi.