Bishop's House

Bishop's House is a historic colonial residence in Fort Kochi, originally built in 1506 as the Portuguese Governor's residence. The building features distinctive Gothic architecture with large arches and a circular garden path. It currently serves as the residence of the Bishop of Kochi and houses the Indo-Portuguese Museum, which displays artifacts showcasing the Portuguese cultural influence in the region.

Visitors can explore the exterior grounds featuring large Gothic arches and a circular garden path leading to the main entrance. The adjacent Indo-Portuguese Museum displays religious artifacts including altar pieces, processional crosses, and vestments from various churches in the diocese. The building itself showcases colonial architecture with expansive corridors, wooden staircases, and stained glass windows. The compound includes historical paintings depicting the history of the Catholic Church in Kerala.

Built in 1506 as the residence of the Portuguese Governor, the building later came under Dutch control in 1663 and was subsequently acquired by the British. In 1888, Dom Jos Gomes Ferreira, the 27th Bishop of the Diocese of Kochi, purchased the property and converted it into the Bishop's House. The structure has retained its basic colonial architecture despite alterations by successive bishops.

The Bishop's House represents the Portuguese colonial heritage in Kerala and serves as an important repository of Indo-Portuguese cultural artifacts. The adjacent museum preserves religious heritage items from various churches in the Cochin diocese, showcasing the fusion of Indian and Portuguese artistic traditions.