Travel: Indo-Portuguese Museum - Cochin

At 28 August 2008, we, Dehon Jyothi community, were travelling in some importance and historical places in Fort Cochi. One of feature, what we would like to share today is Indo Portuguese Museum. The Indo-Portuguese Museum of Kochi highlights the conspicuous Portuguese impact in both art and the architecture. The Indo Portuguese museum in Cochin is a recognized center to know the still-surviving Indo-Portuguese Christian Art heritage.

The museum is the product of the determined and persistent efforts of late Dr. Joseph Kureethra, Bishop of Kochi. In order to protect his archdiocese, the Bishop established this museum to preserve the priceless collections for future generations.There are basically five main sections in the museum and they are classified according to the character of the objects displayed there. These five sections are named as Altar, Procession, Civil Life, Treasure and Cathedral. The museum at present houses some marvelous items that are aesthetically appealing and show the strong influence of the Portuguese style of art. The beautiful sculptures, precious metal artifacts and a piece of an old altar made of teak wood are some of the items that are worth a mention. Also, a sculpture of the Franciscans Coat of Arms is worth mentioning and the museum is definitely worth the visit.

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.

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.