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The Indo-Portuguese Museum situated in Fort Kochi throws
light on the strong Portuguese influence in both the art and the
architecture of the region.
The museum today is an important
center to understand the Indo-Portuguese Christian Art heritage, which is
still surviving. The museum is the outcome of the untiring efforts of the
late Dr. Joseph Kureethra, Bishop of Kochi. Driven by sheer commitment to
protect the rich heritage of his Diocese, the bishop established the
Indo-Portuguese Museum to preserve some of the invaluable collections for
posterity.
The museum is divided into five main sections,
according to the nature of items displayed in each section. They are viz.
Altar, Treasure, Procession, Civil Life and Cathedral.
The museum
currently houses some outstanding collections, well known for its artistic
and architectural marvel, which bear the mark of strong Portuguese
influence. Some of these include a piece of the altar made in teak wood
(16th century) from the Church of Our Lady of Hope, Vypeen, a chasuble (19th
century) from Bishop?s House, Fort Kochi, Processional cross, which is a
combination of silver and wood (17th century) from Santa Cruz Cathedral,
Fort Kochi, Indo-Portuguese Monstrance (18-19th century), from Church of Our
Lady of Hope, Vypeen. Among the displayed items, the Coat of Arms of the
Franciscans needs special mentioning.
The Calouste Gulbenkian
Foundation has also contributed to the rich collection at the
Indo-Portuguese Museum and has to its credit sculptures, precious metal
objects and vestments, among others from the Cathedral of Santa Cruz and
other churches of the Kochi diocese.
The Indo-Portuguese Museum in
Kochi is indeed one of those symbols in the annals of Kochi, bearing the
rich heritage of Indo-Portuguese culture and artistic influence.
Address
: Bishop's House Fort Kochi Kerala- 682001 Tel: 91-484-215400 /
215401
Working Hours :
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed on Mondays and all Public Holidays. Entry is free
on 1st Thursday of every month.
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India Travel Packages. All Rights Reserved (No
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