In Ernakulam the places of interest are the Parishith Thampura Museum, on Durbar Hall road, and an art gallery which is next to the museum. The museum is closed on Monday. The timings are 9.30am to 12.30pm and 3pm to 5pm.

On Mattancherry Island, the places worth a visit are the Dutch Place and the Synagogue.

The Dutch palace was built by the Portuguese in the 16th century. After their defeat at the hands of the Dutch, this palace was taken over by the latter, and handed over by them to the Raja Kochi in return for trading rights granted to them by the Raja.

The Dutch had made some improvement before handing over the palace to the Raja of Kochi. The Raja in turn too made some improvements. The mythological murals found here are some of the best that can be found in India. In one room, the entire story of the Ramayana is depicted on the walls.

In the palace, one can see a fine example of traditional Keralan flooring. It looks like polished black marble but is actually made from a mixture, which comprises of burned coconut shells, charcoal, lime, plant juices and egg whites. Also on display are artifacts belonging to the royal family. The place is located on palace Road in Mattancherry. It is open for visitors on SAT-THURS. The timings are 10am- 5pm.

Another landmark of Mattancherry is the Synagogue. This imposing structure was built in 1568 and further embellished the 18th century

(Open: SUN-FRI. TIMINGS: 10am –noon and 3pm –5pm closed: Saturday)

The northern tip of the Mattancherry peninsula is referred to as FORT COCHIN. It is believed to be the oldest European settlement in India. The Portuguese arrived here in 1500. The fort was built by Alfonso de Albuquerque who came to India in 1503. The 5 friars who accompanied him built the landmark ST. FRANCIS CHURCH in 1510. At this church you can see the DOEP BOEK, a register of marriages of the Dutch from 1751 to 1894, because this church passed into the hands of the Dutch who defeated the Portuguese. Then came the British who defeated the Dutch. So Fort Cochin played host to settlers from 3 European country. The famous Santa Cruz CATHEDRAL is also located here.

Kochi has played host to settlers from Holland, Portugal and Britain. The Jews too found in Kochi a safe haven and settled at Mattancherry. But despite the various influences the character of Kochi still remains Malyalee at heart. This is evident by the presence of many companies which offer performances of Kerala’s unique dance form- the 400 year old Kathakali. Some of the best performances are held at the See India Foundation and the Cochin Cultural Center. At both these centers information regarding this remarkable dance form is given to the audience. In addition you can also witness the application of the elaborate make up by the Kathakali dances.

Besides you can also witness the performances by practitioners of Kerala’s traditional martial art form, KALARIPPAYATTU at the ARJUNA KALARI SANGHAM (PUTHIYA RD. JUNCTION, TIMINGS: 5am- 9am and 5pm –9pm)

And at the E.N.S KALARI Center (NETOOR ERNAKULAM, OPEN: MON- SAT, TIMING: 6pm to 7pm: ON SUNDAY: 3pm –7pm)

ST FRANCIS CHURCH: This is the first European church in India. It was built in year 1510, by five friars who had accompanied Alfonso de Albuquerque in 1503. It is located in Fort Cochin and in its graveyard is the grave of Vasco Da Gama, whose remains however, were shipped back to Portugal in 1958.

This Church is also located in Fort Cochin. It was completed in 1907. Compared with the St. Francis Cathedral, which is built in the sedate Portuguese style, this Church is built in a flamboyant manner, even gaudy style.

KOCHI is home to one of the very few Synagogues in India. It serves a very small Jewish, community most of them having left India to settle abroad.

The Synagogue is located in MATTANCHERRY. It was built in 1568 when the Jews settled here after being expelled from CRANGANORE. It was further embellished by EZEKIKEL RABABI in the 18th Century. He added a clock tower and had the floor of the Synagogue paved with Chinese hand painted tiles. One can also see in the Synagogue, copper plates, on which are engraved the decree by which they were granted domain over CRANGANORE by King Bhaskara Ravi Varma. These copper plates date back to the 4th century.

This museum is located on Durbar Hall Road in Ernakulam. It is popularly known as the COCHIN MUSEUM. Besides a display of artifacts belonging to the erstwhile royal family of Kochi, it houses same old murals. Paintings and sculptures belonging to the 19th Century are also on display.

Adjoining the Museum is an ART GALLERY, which holds exhibition of works done by contemporary Indian artists.