Indo-Portuguese Museum is located at Fort kochi, Ernakulam district, Kerala. The museum provides facilities to understand the cultural heritages of India and Portugal. Dr Joseph Kureethra, the Bishop of Kochi made an untiring effort to establish this museum. The main objective is to preserve some of the invaluable items showing Portuguese influence, used in the Catholic churches in south India, It throws light on the strong Portuguese influence in both the art and the architecture of the region.The museum today is an important center to understand the Indo-Portuguese Christian Art heritage, which is still surviving. The Indo Portuguese Museum vouches for the supreme reign of the Portuguese in Kochi, as it is one of the very rare buildings that procures a domicile to many of the precious artworks and other relics belonging to the Indo-Portuguese era.The artistic sensibility of both Indians and Portuguese was deeply influenced by the aesthetic lineage of the other culture. Even after centuries this Indo-Portuguese Christian Art heritage is still surviving and that is why it is important to preserve this rich heritage for posterity. A tour to Indo-Portuguese Museum, Kerala will enlighten you about the cultural relics of this region.The Indo-Portuguese Museum, Kerala, is located near the Parade Ground of Kochi Fort.The museum is divided into five main sections, according to the nature of items displayed in each section. They are – Altar, Treasure, Procession, Civil Life and Cathedral.The Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation has also contributed to the rich collection at the Indo-Portuguese Museum and has to its credit sculptures, precious metal objects and vestments, among others from the Cathedral of Santa Cruz and other churches of the Kochi diocese.The museum has five sections – Altar, Procession, Treasure, Civil Life and Cathedral. Collections include a 16th century altar made in teak wood, a 19th century chasuble, processional cross and the Coat of Arms of the Franciscans.
Location info:
Address: Fort kochi, Ernakulam(kochi) District, Kerala, India.
District: Ernakulam district.
Nearest City: Kalady, Angamallya and Edapally
Best time to visit: At Morning hours August to March.
Climate/Weather:
The climate of Ernakulam is tropical and Temperature: Summer: Max: 35 °C, Min: 22.5°C Winter: Max: 32.3°C.
History:
Interesting things to do:
You can see the sculptures, precious metal objects and vestments and also there are so many visiting places nearby this Museum.
Interesting things to Visit:
Ernakulam Backwaters:Ernakulam at kochi is More popular as the Queen of the Arabian Sea, Kochi is a cluster of islands on the vast expanse of the Vembanad Lake.Some of these picturesque islands are Bolgatty, Vypeen, Gundu and Vallarpadam. The lake opens out into the Arabian Sea here to form one of the finest and the Arabs, Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch and Gritish have all left their mark here.natural harbours in the world.Historical Museum :Important scenes of Kerala history are portrayed through through Sculptures. Greeting the visitor outside is a statue of Parasurama ,the mythological safe who is said to have created Kerala.Bastion Bunglow :Built in the Indo-European style way back in 1667 AD, Bastion Bungalow get its name from its location on the site of the Stromberg Bastion of the old, Dutch fort.Bolghatty Palace:Bolghatty palace built by the Dutch in 1744. Later it became the seat of the British Resident of Cochin. Today it is a hotel run by K.T.D.C. The grounds have a small golf course & several vantage points for lovely views of the harbour & the sea.Dutch Cementry:It is the oldest European cemetery in India, was reopened recently after extensive renovation work. The 284-year-old cemetery is considered to be a valuable source of information of hundreds on Europeans, both the Dutch and the English, who died in India on while business for their colonial empires.Children’s Park :A high-tech children’s Park with Non-Conventional Energy Museum and Musical Fountain. The Children enjoy a lot with the facilities available here.Marine Drive:Marine Drive is considered to be one of the most beautiful part of Kochy city. The marine walk is the main hangout for the local populace as the view of the backwaters and the harbour from here is excellent.St. Francis Church:The St. Francis Church was originally a wooden structure. In AD 1506, the Portuguese Viceroy, Dom Francisco Almeida was permitted by the Cochin Raja to reconstruct the buildings in stone masonry. Consequently, the Franciscan friars refurbished the wooden Church with bricks and mortar and a tiled roof was erected. When the Dutch captured Kochi in 1663, they converted it into their official church and made some renovations in AD 1779.Pierce Leslie Bungalow:Pierce Leslie Bungalow is loacted near Fort kochi, 13 km from Ernakulam, Ernakulam district, Kerala.Pierce Leslie Bungalow, built in 1862, is a representative of colonial buildings in Fort Kochi, 13 km away from Ernakulam. It was the former office of the famous coffee merchants, Pierce Leslie and Company.Maritime Museum:Maritime Museum, Kerala, located at INS Dronacharya in Kochi and focusing on the maritime heritage of the Indian Navy is one of the most popular museums of Kerala, the Maritime Museum features the history, evolution and landmarks of the Indian Navy. The museum, with different sections, exhibits various items illustrating the glorious maritime heritage of India. Many of these items date back to the Indus Valley Civilization.
Mobile range info:
How to reach?
Nearest Railway Station:Ernakulam railway station
Nearest Airport:Kochi Intenational Airport
Road Transport:Long distance buses come to Kerala Road Transport Corporation’s(KSRTC)station near Ernakulam South railway station.Private bus Station is near to Ernakulam North railway station at Kaloor.City bus service station is also located here. Autorickshaws are planetiful and reliable means to hopshop and to explore the city.
Nearest Visiting places:
Malayatoor:Malayatoor is famous for the Catholic Church built on the 609 m high Malayatoor hill. This hill is dedicated to St. Thomas. Thousands of devotees visit this shrine to participate in the annual festival of Malayatoor Perunnal, in the month of March. St. Thomas is believed to have prayed at this shrine.Bhoothathankettu:Bhoothathankettu is a place situated in a vast virgin forest. This mythologically popular picnic spot lies close to the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary at Thattekkadu. Two of the main irrigation projects of Ernakulam district – the Periyar Valley Irrigation Project and the Idamalayar Irrigation Project are also located nearby.Hill Palace Museum, ThripunithuraThis is now the largest archaeological museum in Kerala and is the official residence of the Kochi royal family. The complex is a reflection of traditional architectural style of Kerala. Full-fledged ethno-archaeological articles and artifacts belonging to the Kochi royal family are all a luxury that the visitors to the place get to relish. In addition there are numerous species of flora including rare medicinal plants around the area.Kodanad:It is one of the largest elephant training centres of South India. The beautiful river Periyar flows in the north of this place. The elephants are mainly trained for Safari. There is also a small zoo here.Willington Island:This is artificial island named after Lord Willingdon, and a British viceroy to India is surrounded by beautiful, calm and serene backwaters. This sweet getaway was created from the soil obtained while deepening the docks at the Kochi harbor. This small piece of land is the headquarters of the Southern naval command and also an important trade center. Cruises along the gorgeous backwaters that surround the island are a luxury anyone would love to indulge in.Bishpoe House:Built by the Portuguese in A.D.1506 as residence of the Portuguese governor, Bishop house is the oldest Catholic Dioceses in India located near the Parade ground, Fort Kochi. A prominent heritage of Fort Kochi, it is characterised by large arches in Gothic Style and has circular garden path winding up to the main entrance.Kalady:Situated on the banks of River Periyar, 45 km from Kochi is Kalady a pilgrim centre and the birth place of Adi Sankaracharya, the great Indian Philosopher of the 8th century AD. There are two shrines in memory of Adi Sankaracharya, one dedicated to him as Dakshinamurthy and the other to the goddess Sharada maintained by Sringeri Mutt. On the same premises there is also a spot (Brindavan) where Adi Sankaracharya`s mother Aryamba was cremated. In addition to it there is an ancient Shri Krishna Temple close by which was me family temple of Adi Sankaracharya.Madhavan Nayar Foundation:It is situated about 8 km from Ernakulam town at Edapally. It has life size figures revealing the historic episodes and events from the Neolithic to the neoteric era. The art gallery has 200 original paintings and sculptures, which are the works of the contemporary Indian artists. The light and sound shows with English and Malayalam commentaries attract a number of visitors.Thattakkadu Bird Sanctuary:This bird Sanctuary on the Kochi-Munnar road, about 20 km from Kothamangalam. This sanctuary is rightly named after its explorer Dr. Salim Ali, the renowned ornithologist. A variety of native birds like the Malabar grey-horn bill, the woodpecker, the parakeet etc can be seen here. The Ceylon frog-moth and rose-billed roller are among the rare birds found in this sanctuary. Various migrant birds also come here during the season.Chendamangalam:Chendamangalam is a rare geographical combination of three rivers, seven inlets, hillocks and vast expanses of green plains. The Paliam Palace, abode of the Paliath Achans, hereditary Prime Ministers to the erstwhile Maharajas of Kochi, represents the architectural splendour of Kerala.Vasco House:This was Built in the 16th century, Vasco House is believed to have been the residence of Vasco Da Gama, the first European to reach the Kerala shores. It is one of the oldest Portuguese residences in Fort Cochin. The straight lines of the balcony-cum-verandah with a series of typical European glass-paned windows are characteristics of the European era in Cochin.Dutch Palace, Mattancherry:Built by the Portuguese in the middle of the 16th century, this palace was taken over in 1663 by the Dutch, who added some improvements before presenting it to the Rajas of Cochin. The rajas also made more improvements. The palace is notable for some of the best mythological murals in India, particularly in the bed chambers. In that room one can see the entire story of Ramayana on the walls.fort kochi beach:The main attraction of fort kochi beach is the historic fort that is the best example of indo- european architecture. It is an obscure fishing village that became the first European township in India. The raw and unused stretch of beach is a loner’s delight, where one could swim, play cricket or volley ball and even manage to practice yoga.Chinese Fishing Nets:The only one of its kind in India, the Chinese Fishing Nets are believed to have been erected between 1350 and 1450 AD by traders from the court of the Chinese ruler Kublai Khan.
Santa Cruz Basilica:This church was originally built by the Portuguese, and was later recognized as a cathedral by Pope Paul IV in 1558. After the British demolished the original building in 1795, a new building was commissioned, to be further proclaimed as a Basilca which was proclaimed as a Basilica in 1984 by Pope John Paul II.
Nearest Petrol Pump:
Petrol Pump NH 47A, Palarivattom Ernakulam, Kerala.Supplyco Petrol Bunk Near Iac, D H Road Ernakulam, Kerala 680016 Tel: 0484 2362852BP Petrol Pump NH 47A, Ernakulam, Kerala.BP Petrol Pump Kacheripady, Ernakulam KeralaReliance Auto LPG Station Seaport Airport Road Kakkanad, Ernakulam Kerala
Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation:
Hotel Le Meridian Cochin Hotel Le Meridian, Maradu Kochi, Kerala, India.Hotel Taj Residency Marine Drive, Ernakulam Kerala, India.Hotel Arches Rose St, Fort Kochi Kerala Tel: 0484 2215050The Old Courtyard Hotel Princess St, Fort Kochi Kerala 682001 Tel:0484 2216302Serena Spa Koder House Tower Rd, Kunnumupuram, Cochin Kerala 682001 Tel:0484 2218485Chiramel Home Stay Fort Cochin, 1/296, Lilly street Cochin Kerala 68200 Tel: 09447818930Hotel Park Avenue Princess St, Fort Kochi Kerala Tel:0484 2216670Casa Mia Homestay Pattalam Rd, Fort Kochi Kerala 682001 Tel:0484 2215068Holidays in Fort Cochin Fort Cochin, Cochin Kerala 682001 Tel:09895758992
Things to carry:
Tips & Suggestions:
Help Line/Phone Number:
Police Station:Tripunithura Police Station Tripunithura, Ernakulam,Kerala.ET North Police Station Ernakulam, Kerala.Police Station Edappally Ernakulam, Kerala.Hill palace police station Ernakulam, Kerala.
Nearest Hospital: Sevana Medineeds Pvt Ltd. Kizakkambalam, Ernakulam (Dist) Kochi, Kerala 683562 Tel: 0484 2680029.Al Shifa Super Speciality Hospital For Piles Near Ksrtc, Rajaji Road Ernakulam, Kerala 680035 Tel: 0484 2363777.Chaithanya Eye Hospital Near Sree Krishna Temple Ravipuram Road Ernakulam, Kerala 680016 Tel: 0484 2357135Gyno Speciality Hospital Internatioal Airport Junction, Athani Ernakulam, Kerala 680585 Tel: 0484 2475031.Nairs Hospital Nairs Hospital, N H Bypass Ernakulam, Kerala 682304 Tel: 0484 2302666.Vijaya Insitute Of Medical Sciences Kamadhenu Apartments Kaloor Road, Kadavanthara Kochi, Kerala 682020 Tel: 0484 2205261.
