Jewish Synagogue Kochi, Kerala, India

Located at Mattancherry, about 24 km from Cochin International Airport, Kerala India, this synagogue built in 1568 by the prosperous Jewish community, is the oldest in India. Among all the common wealth countries of the world, the Jewish Synagogue, Kochi is the oldest existing synagogue. It is also referred to as the Cochin Jewish Synagogue or the Mattancherry Synagogue. The synagogue is located in the quarter of Old Cochin known as Jew Town. Synagogue is commonly spoken of as a "Shul" by Orthodox Jews, "synagogue" by Conservative, and "Temple" by Reform. "Synagogue" is a good all-around word to cover the preceding three possibilities. The Jewish Synagogue is a combination of architecture from Portuguese and Dutch. It is also called Paradesi and Mattancherry Synagogue. Jewish synagogue is located near the Dutch Palace in Mattancherry. It was partially destroyed by the Portuguese in the war of 1662 and was rebuilt by the Dutch. One of its interesting features is the hand painted willow pattern floor tiles brought from Canton in China in mid 18th century and no two tiles are alike. The interior offers many delights: a Belgian chandelier, scrolls of the Old Testament, copper plates on which were recorded the grants of privilege made by the Cochin rulers to the Jewish community in the 4th century and finely wrought gold and silver crowns gifted to the synagogue by various patrons. The Kochi Synagogue at Fort Kochi is the oldest Jewish synagogue in the Commonwealth of Nations. The area around the synagogue is known as Jew town whose by-lanes that wind around offer charming sights of houses built in Dutch, Portuguese and British styles. The Synagogue itself is elaborately decorated with crystal chandeliers and carved wood with blue and white ceramic. There are many antique shops located nearby this place. The Jewish Synagogue in Kochi and the surrounding areas are one of the most popular tourist attractions in Kerala. Europeans visiting Kerala come and spend hours enjoying the colonial cultural remaining.