L'HÉRITAGE ARCHITECTURAL COLONIAL DE FORT COCHIN

The walk begins at the Chinese fishing nets. Follow the River Road towards Parade Ground. You then come to St. Francis Church, where Vasco de Gama was buried. Continuing along the road, on your right is the Bastion Bungalow, built in 1667. You then come to Parade Ground, a large green space that serves as a cricket and soccer pitch, much to the delight of local children. Admire the colonial architectural marvels of Malabar House, Bernard Bungalow and the other buildings around this square. Take a stroll through the narrow streets leading to Dutch Cemetery. Join Elphinstone Road, where you'll find Bishop House (Indo-Portuguese museum). Then on to Princess Road, via Ridsdale Road. Note the 500-year-old banyan tree on Parade Ground. The Vasco Homestay, behind St. Francis Church, is well worth a visit: it was here that the famous Portuguese explorer Vasco de Gama lived until his death in 1524. You then come to Princess Street, home to numerous small souvenir stores. Walk up the street to admire its colonial buildings, then turn right onto narrow Burger Street, home to the Kashi Art Cafe. From here, Bastian Street leads to the Santa Cruz Basilica. Then up KB Jacob Road to the starting point of your tour.