3/24 Cochin, India

We did an interesting walking tour in Cochin that took us by St. Francis CSI Church, one of the oldest European churches in India, originally built in 1503. We were not able to go inside as it was Palm Sunday on the day we were there, but we did get to witness the worshipers as they were singing and entering their church for services. We then walked to the Mattancherry Palace Museum, built in 1555 and known for its exotic murals, and Fort Kochi Beach, best known for its Chinese fishing nets (shore-operated lift nets).

Our final stop was the beautiful Paradesi Synagogue, the oldest synagogue in the Commonwealth of Nations, built in 1568, and the Jew Town and Old Spice Market. The synagogue was gorgeous with beautiful hand-painted blue willow patterned tiles on the floor, each painted slightly differently. In addition to an incredible variety of spices, the market had beautiful handmade crafts, and traditional Indian artifacts such as intricately designed metalwork, wooden carvings, and brass sculptures.

St. Francis CSI Church

Carving at the top of Mattancherry Palace Museum

Chinese fishing nets at Fort Kochi Beach

Paradesi Synagogue