The colonial glamour of Fort Kochi

A major part of Fort Kochi still reflects the opulent lifestyle of the colonial era. The architectural splendor of classic colonial style buildings take you through historic memories of European style architecture.

The haunting hints of its colonial past bring alive the bygone glory of a historical era in architecture. Crimpson-shaded wooden roofs made of flat face rafters, the buildings, the doorways, the streets; almost everything in Fort Kochi narrates the tale of the Portuguese, the Dutch and the British.

Mosaic of cultures

Fort Kochi is home to a lot of cultures. Even though most of the buildings have undergone stages of renovation, a healthy part of it still stays true to the roots of European Architecture.

David Hall

David Hall was built around 1695 by the Dutch East India Company.  The roof structured in the form of an upturned hill is a real architectural wonder. The wooden roof droops slightly because of the horizontal beam and trusses are put to support them. The three-foot wide walls and four-column windows gracefully add to the elegance of the well-manicured garden and old trees around.

David Hall

Koder House

Koder House is a magnificent three-storied structure built by the Portuguese in the 1800s. Rebuilt and renovated, Koder House is today, one of the most imposing heritage hotels in Fort Kochi. The renovation was made with definite plans adhering to the finest style of Indo-European architecture.

Opulent wooden floors, carved furniture and high glass paned windows are some of the unique features of the mansion. Huge open spaces embellished by wide teak staircases add to the splendor of the building.

Koder House

Percie Leslie Bungalow

Built in 1862, the Percie Leslie Bungalow is a fine blend of Portuguese, Dutch and local influences. Wooden ceilings, arched doorways and carved doors are authentic inspirations of European architecture. Waterfront verandhas is the other prominent feature of this building. 

Percie Leslie Bungalow

A museum of local history

Fort Kochi’s story is like a melting pot of European flavours. You’ll never get tired of exploring. A walk through the narrow lanes takes you on a high of architectural grandeur. Though most of the heritage homes and buildings have found new life as boutique resorts and hotels, you are never denied the chance to have a look back at former glories. Fitting many facets of an olden day colonial architecture, Fort Kochi stands tall as a museum of local history, a place where stories live through buildings.

When powerful colonial influences coupled with the regional perceptions, the architecture did flourish. Not only do we find revived mansions of classic European architecture, but we also see the gladdening urge for a colonial inspiration in modern homes. The modernist approach of colonial revival is catching up interest and more people are seeking a colonial feature in their homes. Carion Bilta, the leading architecture and interior designing company in Kerala can help you find the holistic experience of revived colonial expression in your homes.