Indo-Portuguese Museum

A colonial structure, the Indo-Portuguese Museum of Kochi is the epicentre of Indo-Portuguese Christian Art heritage, which is still surviving in the state.It is located  in Fort Kochi 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 museum is the outcome of the untiring efforts of the late Dr. Joseph Kureethra, Bishop of Kochi. Driven by sheer commitment to protect the rich heritage of his Diocese, the bishop established the Indo-Portuguese Museum to preserve some of the invaluable collections for posterity.

The museum is divided into five main sections, according to the nature of items displayed in each section. They are viz. Altar, Treasure, Procession, Civil Life and Cathedral.

The museum currently houses some outstanding collections, well known for its artistic and architectural marvel, which bear the mark of strong Portuguese influence. Some of these include a piece of the altar made in teak wood (16th century) from the Church of Our Lady of Hope, Vypeen, a chasuble (19th century) from Bishops House, Fort Kochi, Processional cross, which is a combination of silver and wood (17th century) from Santa Cruz Cathedral, Fort Kochi, Indo-Portuguese Monstrance (18-19th century), from Church of Our Lady of Hope, Vypeen. Among the displayed items, the Coat of Arms of the Franciscans needs special mentioning.

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 Indo-Portuguese Museum in Kochi is indeed one of those symbols in the annals of Kochi, bearing the rich heritage of Indo-Portuguese culture and artistic influence.The Museum is located on the beach road about 1 km south of St.Francis Church in Fort Kochi. Timing in between 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed on Mondays and all Public Holidays

How to Reach:

Nearest Railway Station: Ernakulam junction

Nearest Airport: Cochin International Airport, about 20 kms away from Ernakulam City

Cheeyappara Waterfalls

The Cheeyappara Waterfalls is one of the beautiful waterfalls of evergreen Kerala and and is a great eco-tourism destination of the region. It is one of the significant excursion points lying in the region surrounding Cochin. Cheeyappara Waterfalls is a famous destination of tourists visiting Munnar. Munnar, known as Swiss of South India, has a varying terrestrial terrain that consists of water cascades, rolling hills, verdant valleys, dense forests and tea, coffee and spice plantations.

Cheeyappara Waterfalls is one among the many waterfalls of Munnar, which is located at a distance of about 38 km from the town centre. This waterfall is situated in between Adimali and Neriamangalam, adjacent to Munnar to Kochi Highway (NH 49).Cheeyappara Waterfalls is considered among the best waterfalls in the State of Kerala. Cheeyappara Waterfalls runs down from a rocky slope in seven steps. The waterfalls gain its beauty during and after monsoon months of June, July and August and it becomes impossible to reach the bottom of the falls. The water of Cheeyappara Waterfalls does not dry up even in summer months.

Cheeyappara Waterfalls is in the vicinity of 2 acres of evergreen forests which are situated atop a huge rock. Cheeyappara often becomes base camp for trekkers and for the ones who go on nature walks in to these forests. The rock, which is more than 500 acres, is a favourite spot of mountaineers.

How to Reach: Nearest Railway Station: Ernakulam Railway Station (4 hrs from Munnar)
Nearest Airport: Cochin International Airport (4 hours 30 minutes from Munnar)