Church of Saint Francis, Kochi Church

Address: Fort Kochi, Kochi, Kerala, 682001, India

Hours: Daily 9:00am-5:00pm (may close for services)

Admission: Free (donation suggested)

The Church of Saint Francis in Fort Kochi, Kerala, is one of the oldest European churches in India, founded by Portuguese Franciscan friars in the early 1500s. It is a simple, whitewashed building noted for its age and historic associations.

A key point of interest is that the explorer Vasco da Gama was buried at the church after his death in 1524; his remains remained here until they were returned to Portugal in 1538. The interior contains a memorial plaque marking the site’s connection to early Portuguese presence in India.

The church transferred between Portuguese, Dutch and British hands over the centuries and today is administered within local church structures. It sits in the Fort Kochi neighbourhood of Kochi on the Malabar Coast and is a short walk from the waterfront.

• Vasco da Gama connection: Vasco da Gama was originally buried here in 1524; his remains were later returned to Portugal in 1538.
• Antiquity: Located in Fort Kochi near the waterfront, the church is one of the oldest European-built churches in India, founded by Portuguese friars in the early 16th century.

Fort Kochi is reached from Ernakulam (Kochi mainland) by a frequent public ferry from the Marine Drive ferry terminal - the ride is 20-30 minutes and lands at Fort Kochi jetty. From the jetty the church is a short 8-12 minute walk through the Fort Kochi lanes toward the Vasco da Gama Square. Taxis and app-hire cars can also drop visitors at Church Road in Fort Kochi; the nearest major railhead is Ernakulam Junction (approx. 11 km).

• Visit at opening to hear the church bells and see light slant across the old pews before tourist groups arrive.
• Stand where Vasco da Gama was once buried - the brass plate marking his original grave is easy to miss on the floor; look for worn stone around the chancel.
• Combine a visit with a walk around the Fort Kochi shoreline: the church is only a few minutes' stroll from the Vasco da Gama square and the Chinese fishing nets.