When the renowned Italian explorer Nicolas Conti made this statement, Cochin was booming in the trade as one of the most sought-after locations reachable by water. And Fort Cochin, formerly a sleepy fishing village, suddenly found itself in the middle of a flurry of activity. It would soon trade as one of the most illustrious cities in recorded history, becoming the first township in Europe.Take a stroll around Fort Cochin's beautiful colonial roads, with their tree-lined avenues and charming tiny plots, as well as by the seashores, where huge Chinese fishing nets draw a breathtaking skyline. Fort Cochin perhaps has the best-preserved heritage of colonial times. It is thought that Chinese traders brought this form of Chinese fishing to Cochin during the time of Kubla Khan.The estuary at Cochin was thrown wide by a catastrophic flood in AD 1341. One of the best natural harbors in the east was created out of this landlocked region thanks to the peculiar ways of nature. This opened the door for a flood of maritime visitors, including the Arabs, Chinese, and subsequently, Portuguese and British. The latter ones' characteristics heavily influence the design of Fort Cochin's façade.