Paradesi Synagogue & Jew Town
- Address: Jew Town Road, Fort Cochin
- Hours: Open Sun - Thu, 10am - noon & 3 - 5pm
- Admission: admission Rs 2
ATTRACTION Keywords:
Holiday Activity,
Religious Experience,
Synagogue
The synagogue sits at the center of the district once inhabited by Fort Cochin’s prosperous spice trading community of Malabari Jews, who traveled here from Holland and Spain. Today, apart from the synagogue and faded street signs, reminders of the district’s once-thriving Jewish community are few.
There were once seven synagogues in this quarter of Old Cochin, but Paradesi Synagogue (also called Pardesi) is the sole survivor. It sometimes also known as the Mattancherry Synagogue, as it shares a temple wall with the neighboring Mattancherry Palace. The word ‘paradesi’ is an Indian term for foreigner.
The original synagogue built in 1568 was destroyed by the Portuguese, and the current building with its distinctive clock tower was erected under the rule of the Dutch.
Notable features include the synagogue’s floor of blue-and-white tiles, individually hand-painted in Canton in a willow pattern. Colored glass lamps and glittering Belgian-glass chandeliers hang from the ceiling, and the gold pulpit is richly decorated.
As is traditional, there is a separate upstairs balcony for female worshipers. There are also historic Torah scrolls and copper plates inscribed with the synagogue’s charter of privileges on display.
When you visit the synagogue, make sure to come modestly dressed (no shorts or sleeveless tops allowed).
(Image courtesy of KeralaTourism.org)
Latest Reviews
We don't have any reviews for this attraction – be the first to review it! Simply click Add Review above and share your opinion.
Practical Info
Do you have photos of this attraction? Be the first to share your photos with other travelers!
