St Francis Church
Church · Fort Kochi
Photo: Ranjith Siji · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
History & overview
Saint Francis Church, in Fort Kochi, Kochi, originally built in 1503, is one of the oldest European churches in India and has historical significance as a witness to the European colonial ambitions in the subcontinent. The Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama died in Kochi in 1524 when he was on his third visit to India. His body was originally buried in this church, but after fourteen years his remains were relocated to Lisbon and is now interred at Jerónimos Monastery.
Read the full history on Wikipedia ↗
Visiting St Francis Church
- Entry
- Free
- Timings
- Around 7:00am–6:30pm daily; access pauses during Sunday service
- Getting here
- Off Church Road, Fort Kochi, about 250 m from the Chinese fishing nets.
Remove footwear; videography is not allowed.
Fees and timings are indicative — please confirm locally. See getting around Kochi for transport.
Ratings & reviews
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Location
What's nearby
Within a short walk of St Francis Church.
Places to eat nearby
Stays nearby
Things to do nearby
Shopping nearby
Travelling here safely
Generally safeIs Fort Kochi safe?
Fort Kochi is one of Kerala’s safest and most walkable tourist quarters, comfortable by day and on the main lanes after dark. Violent crime against visitors is rare — the realistic risks are auto/guide scams, petty theft in crowds, and the sea, not personal danger.
- Overall — One of Kerala’s safest tourist areas; tourist police nearby.
- Solo & women — Widely reported as comfortable; conservative, used to visitors.
- Scams to watch — Auto/taxi overcharging, “closed today” guide tricks, commission shops.
- Petty theft — Low, but mind bags at the nets, ferries and busy markets.
- The sea — Fort Kochi beach is for strolling — currents make swimming unsafe.