Cochin is a port city that has grown around a vast inland bay. It is the gift of nature to Kerala. A high flood in the river Periyar in 1341silted up the harbour mouth known as “Changala Azhi” at Cranganore. The flood waters locked up in the weak mud bank at Vypeen and rushed out with fury and force into the sea making a deep navigable tunnel. Thus, a new harbour was formed. However, it was smaller than “Changala Aazi”hence it came to be known as “Kochi Azhi”- the small harbour – which eventually became Kochi.

With the silting u-p of the harbour, the importance of Cranganore as a centre of international trade waned and trading communities of Jews, Christians and Muslims gravitated towards Cochin. Thus, Cochin became the important trade centre linking the East and the West. Thus, we find Mua Huan from China coming to Cochin in 1409 and Vasco De Gama from Portugal in 1502 followed later by the Dutch and the British.

With the coming of the Jews, trade became active from Cochin. In the place where they congregated, a busy bazar was formed, which however was smaller in comparison to Cranganore. So, this came to be known as “Kochangadi” (small bazar). In this place they built their first Synagogue outside Cranganore. In the following years, wave after wave of Jewish refugees streamed into Cochin following Moorish attack on their ancient settlements. Thus, the Kadvumbhagam Synagogue was built in 1539. Meanwhile a batch of rich Jews from Spain reached Cochin. They built a synagogue in 1568, so it was dubbed the Paradesi Synagogue by the Malabari Jews. Another synagogue for the Malabari Jews was built in 1647. A portion of it still can be seen at the Southern end of the Jew town of Mattanchery. It is now used as a warehouse to store Coir products. All these Synagogues have been demolished when their congregations migrated to the modern state of Israel, except the Paradesi Synagogue. It is the most important tourist attraction in Cochin. With its artistic and exquisite interior decorations, it is considered one of the most beautiful Synagogues in the world and hence a replica of it Is kept at the famous Jewish National Museum of Tel Aviv, Israel. The floor of the Paradesi Synagogue is paved with Chinese tiles of which no two are alike in design. There are five scrolls of Toarch each in a casket and each having a gold crown. One was gifted by the Maharajah of Cochin. The Synagore is also in possession of the famous Jewish Copper Plates. It is a Royal Charter given by Bhaskara Rama Varma, the Cheraman Perumal, to Joseph Robban, the Jewish merchant of Cranganore, conferring to him the hereditary title of Anjuvannam and seventy-two princely privileges and prerogatives enjoyed by the aristocracy. Thus, a Jewish Principality was established at Shingy in Cranganore which lasted more than five hundred years when it was attached and destroyed by the Moors and the inhabitants expelled.

Another tourist attraction of Cochin is what is known as the Dutch Palace. Originally it was the Palace of the Maharaja of Cochin. When he shifted capital to Thripunithura, the palace came into the possession of the Portuguese and from them the Dutch captured it and made it their headquarters. The mural painting depicting episodes from Hindu puranas is the main attraction. The Palanquins used by the Royalty, the Crows of the Rajahs and the weapons used by the body guards are displayed there.

Another place of importance is St. Francis Church at Fort Cochin, built by the Portuguese. Vasco De Gama was buried here and his remains were later taken to Portugal and so the empty grave is now seen.