Cochin (Kochi)
Cochin is the largest conurbation in Kerala and extends across the coastal lagoons taking in Ernakulam, a modern, thriving city, Fort Kochi, the old town which has remained largely unchanged over the years, and several large islands.
Many tourists prefer the quieter atmosphere of Fort Kochi to the bustle of modern Ernakulam, a short boat trip away. The history of the Malabar Coast can be traced through the buildings of the old town, from St. Francis' Church, the oldest European church in India and the first resting place of Vasco da Gama, to the offices of the Dutch East India Company, to the British Club facing the Maidan and the modern military base and port over the waterway on Willingdon Island. 
Mattancherry Palace was the home of the Raja of Kochi, built in 1555. The Jewish Synagogue tells the tale of the large Jewish population of Cochin which can be traced back to the 4th Century, and which has now declined. The Chinese fishing nets along the front provide a freshly caught lunch, which is cooked on the spot.
Bolghatty and Vypeen Islands have recently been linked by a new road bridge which gives quick access to the backwaters and the beach at Cherai.
