Photos on diplay inside the old Jewish synagogue in Cochin - showing arrival in Kerala

The historic Jewish synagogue in the old part of the city of Cochin or Kochi (in the state of Kerala, India) is one of the oldest structures in the area, venerated as a historic place of religious significance. It has a section where paintings depicting the arrival of the Jews into the area as far back as 72 AD (after the destruction by the Romans of the sacred Jewish temple and dispersal of the Jewish people into various areas of the world).

Display of old documents inside the Jewish syngague in Cochin by a tour guide

Inside the Jewish synagogue (a historic building in the South Indian city of Cochin, in the state of Kerala); there is not much of regular prayer sessions because the number of Jewish people nearby, and in the general population is not very high. The synagogue typically gets most busy as a tourist location, and even in this case, it is the tourist guide who is holding forth the religious book inside the synagogue.

An inside view of the Jewish synagogue in Cochin, with a person sitting near the pulpit

A view of the historic Jewish synagogue in Cochin, in the Indian state of Kerala. This synagogue is also known as the Paradesi Synagogue, which is the oldest surviving synagogue in India. The synagogue was built in the year 1568, built in the then Kingdom of Cochin. The synagogue is also known as the Mattancherry Synagogue, located in an older part of Cochin (known as the Jew Town). It is a beautiful complex, although there are not enough Jews in the area to make this a fully functioning synagogue.

The inside of the St Francis Church in Cochin, Kerala, India

A photo of the inside of the St. Francis Church in Cochin, in the state of Kerala, India. The church has a complex history, since it was controlled by different people at different points of time. The Church was built as a simple structure by the Portuguese in 1503 under permission by the local King, and then the Church was claimed by the Dutch (who were Protestants versus the Catholic Portuguese) - they destroyed all churches except this one. Then the Church was controlled by the British; and the Church was also famous since the body of the Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama was buried here for 14 years (in the 16th century, until it was sent back to Portugal).