St Francis Church | Tourist Places in Cochin

St. Francis Church in Kochi is popular for its simplicity, structural design, vibes, and serene ambiance. This church also holds an essential place in ancient history. This church finely exhibits Portuguese architecture. It is considered as one of the most prominent amongst all the European churches which were constructed in India The famous explorer, Vasco Da Gama, was buried in this church in 1524. His remains were taken back to Lisbon after 14 years but his gravestone is still present in this church. Today, this church stands as evidence of the history of Christianity in India.

The Portuguese traders have constructed this church in the 15th century. But initially, it was a small wooden structure. However, Dom Francisco Almeida, the Portuguese viceroy, brought the idea of renovating the church. So in 1516, it was reconstructed the wooden building in the stone and masonry structure. This church is well-known for its Portuguese and Dutch influences and is an architectural marvel in itself. After the Dutch, Portuguese, and British, it finally came under the control of the Church of South India in 1949.

The most attractive thing of Fort Kochi Church is the timber-framed roof which is covered with tiles that add charm to the beauty of the church. All the windows and doors of this church have a semi-circular ache. Besides, the bell tower is made up of three compartments and the walls are beautifully decorated with painted artworks. It is one of the important attractions spot and a perfect place for history lovers.

St. Francis Church, Cochin is 13 km far away from Ernakulam and tourists can reach this church via a boat or a bus. The visitors can also hire an auto-rickshaw or cab. The St. Francis Church, Cochin opens to all every day of the week. Every Sunday, there is a special mass organized in the church for all the believers who pursue CSI followings. The nearby attractions of St. Francis Church are Mattancherry Palace, Jewish Synagogue, Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary, Indo Portuguese and Maritime Navy Museums, and Mattancherry Handicrafts Shops, etc. There are many popular restaurants nearby this church such as Fusion Bay, Kashi Art Café, Qissa Café, Oceanos, The Asian Kitchen by Tokyo Bay, and many more.