Things to Know
Category
Spiritual
Duration
30 - 45 Min
Mobile Voucher
Accepted
Donation
Accepts
Parking
Available
Disable
Friendly
Couple
Friendly
Baby
Friendly
Sitting Area
Available
Baggage counter
Available
Footwear Counter
Available
Prayer room
Available
Security guard
Available
Ticket
free entry
Adult
FREE
Children
FREE
Foreigner
FREE
Mobile Camera
FREE
Still Camera
FREE
Video Camera
FREE
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About
St. Francis CSI Church located in Fort Kochi originally built in 1503, is the oldest European church in India and has great historical significance as a mute witness to the European colonial struggle in the subcontinent. Built in timber by Portuguese in 1503, it was overlaid with stone masonry later. Vasco da Gama was cremated here in 1524. Built in timber by Portuguese in 1503, it was overlaid with stone masonry later. Vasco da Gama was cremated here in 1524. His remains were later removed to Lisbon. His tomb, however, still exists. The church was built on the land gifted by the local Raja, and the title deeds written on pam leaf are still kept inside. It became an Anglican church with the advent of the British in 1795 and one hangover from British days is the continued use of manually operated punkahs or fans, the large swinging cloth fans on frames suspended above the congregation. The gravestones were tossed into the walls of the church in 1886. The ‘Doop Book’, that is, old baptism and the marriage register, from 1751 to 1804, kept in the vestry, are the delights of history seekers. A photocopy of the Doop Book is kept outside the vestry to enable interested visitors to glance through.
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Landmark
Monument and historical place
