The VOC gate situated in fort kochi is a testament of the dutch trade links of the Kingdom of kochi. The structure is a small gate facing the parade grounds with the monogram VOC inscribed on top and hence the name. VOC stands for Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie or
The dutch east india company. It was built by the dutch in 1749 during the company’s golden age, when it become the largest company in the world a record which still hasn’t been broken.
The gate in itself is not a major attraction rather part of what makes up the history of fort kochi, a place that has seen traders from whole across the world and still retains its importance in the worls map with the Cochin port and vallarpadam container terminal, the first of its kind in the country. Kochi as a port was used by persians, greeks chinese and the like.
The current kingdom of kochi came into existence in the 12th century and the Portuguese were the first Europeans to set up trade links in the 15th century. After the Portuguese came the dutch and then the british, under whose rule kochi was till Indian independence. The remnants of all these cultures are there in fort kochi and the VOC gate is one for the dutch.
The current areas surrounding fort kochi caters mainly to the need of foreign tourist. There are various resorts and establishment set up. Due this a tour of fort kochi may prove expensive. But there is no charge to roam around the locality and absorb in the history of this beautiful place, the Queen of Arabian sea.