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Built by the Indian Navy, the museum has many life-size exhibits, a huge display of naval arms and ammunition, replicas of large naval ships and personalities. One section inside a military bunker unravels India's shipbuilding prowess, which took its culture to the shores of Java, Sumatra and Bali between 4 BC and 11 AD. The section outdoors takes you through the Indian Navy's moments post 1947. These include the commissions of various types of ships, submarines or aircraft carriers, as well as superficial details of Junaghad operation, Goa liberation, Indo-Pak conflicts of 1965 and 1971 and strategic manoeuvres during the Kargil war. When you visit, bear in mind that India is one of the top ten naval powers in the world.
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It highlights the start of European colonisation of the Orient in the 16th century. The museum showcases the growth and decline of Portuguese life in Kochi with a focus on the growth of the Latin Church. There are also excavated ruins of the former fort wall in the basement of the museum.
This 315 year-old Dutch bungalow was the official residence of Dutch Army commanders, the most famous being Hendrik Adriaan van Rheede tot Draakestein, who authored Horticus Malabaricus. The complex belongs to the Netherlands Govt. agency CNO which has been renovated to open a large art gallery, a traditional Dutch performing arts centre and a large studio for young painters. The building is a classic specimen of colonial Dutch architecture with elaborate Dutch gardens. Check at the reception to know the schedule of cultural performances.
The only remains of the office of the Dutch East India Company is this large wooden gate with a monogram VOC (Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie), the emblem of Dutch East India Company.
The first European church built in Asia, by the Portuguese in 1502, also the first Cathedral of Asia and the seat of the second Catholic Diocese in India. The British modified the structure and added oil paintings. Today, it serves as the primary seat of the Latin church of Kerala. Pope John Paul II declared it a basilica in 1984. It houses several historical paintings, decorations and artefacts.
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Constructed by the Portuguese in 1503, and the burial place of Vasco da Gama (his remains were later transferred to Lisbon). His tombstone can be seen inside the church. The church has a large cemetery which serves as the resting grounds of many Portuguese army officials and soldiers. The church is the only Catholic Church not demolished by the Dutch, which was handed over to the British to re-establish an Anglican church. A large war memorial is at the back and honours the unknown soldiers who died in World War I.
A historical beach where 1st Portuguese-Dutch war broke out in the 17th century. Once a very large beach, it has reduced to a quarter in size after the 2004 tsunami. A beautiful, small walkway is ideal for evening strolls. One can find remnants of the Old Portuguese Immanuel Fort, along with parts of the Dutch Stormberg Fort, with some cannons still kept intact. An obsolete boiler that was once used for powering cranes of old port and a very large anchor of an old Portuguese ship are displayed on the walkway. Works for creating a new artificial beach are undergoing near this old beach with the help of the Tsunami development funds.