Information on Vasco House (Ernakulam, Kerala) - History & Architecture

Vasco House was the house of the famous explorer Vasco da Gama, who has created history in making European contact South Asia. This led to international trading and the birth of Colonialism in the South Eastern Asian countries. He arrived first on the sea shore of Calicut in 1498 AD. On his 4th voyage to India he stayed in the Portugal house built at Fort Kochi, where he breathed his last breath on 25th Dec 1524 due to malaria. Since then this house is known as the Vasco House. It is located at No.CC 1-344, The Rose Street in Fort Kochi, Ernakulum District of Kerala State in South of India alongside the Arabian Sea.

Vasco House Architecture

Vasco House was built by Portuguese. It is a unique single storied building in the European style, which was built 500 years ago by the Portugal colonialist. This was the first modern house ever built in that area. This complete building was built of granite stone and laterite stones. The overall building is pasted with lime stone for stronger life. It has a side way steps to reach its first stories. Here you can find a grilled metal door on the entry. Its ground floor has a center entry with wooden doors. One can find the windows framed with glass in the neo classical style. It has a strong wooden ceiling and its roofs are covered with terracotta tiles, this give it a traditional looks as country made. There are spacious living rooms, dining hall and kitchen room inside this house. It has a beautiful verandahs and a balcony attached to it facing towards the Arabian Sea. The location of this building is very near to natural sea port and its backwaters.

Vasco House History

Vasco House accommodated the legendry sailor who found the gateway to India by sea route. By his arrival the first international trading happened whit Spices to Europe. He was the first person to bring his country man to another new land crossing the vast oceans. His first arrival at Calicut made him favorable to sign trading agreement and setting up of a Portugal factory here with the permission of the King Sumorin. His sea route was followed by the other European countries like the French and the British to come to India. In the year 1524 AD he was appointed the Vice Roy of Indies by the Portugal Kingdom. He decided to stay at Cochin for its charm and beauty. This became his favorite place other the Goa and Calicut. The Cochin or the Ernakulum developed at a faster rate that it became a cosmopolitan city in the 19th century. Its sea port was the busiest port in the Arabian Sea. Trading developed not only in spices but with rubber, coir and palm products, fishing; Tea and Coffee were at its peak in trade. He commanded his colony from this house and the ground floor was used as his office and he resided at the first floor. This area had a very good connection to backwaters entering the sea made him to travel further by sea routes from here. He was the most respected by the Kerala peoples at those times. In his memory there are many statues and land marking done were he has visited in Kerala. But his forth voyage didn't allow him to return to his mother land. He was suffering from Malaria and died in this house.

Vasco House Tourism Importance

Vasco House is now an international guest house and a cafeteria now. It functions in the name of Vasco House for tourist. It is owned by a private party and promotes tourism in the name of Vasco da Gama. It will be a great feel to come and stay here in the heart of Arabian Sea.