David Hall, Fort Cochin

David Hall is one of the most important tourist’s destinations and is of utmost importance. It is basically a Dutch Bungalow. It also has an art gallery and plays an important role as a cultural centre.

History
David Hall, a Dutch bungalow is located on the north side of Parade Ground in Fort Kochi. It was built in 1695 by the Dutch East India Company. The main purpose of the building was to accommodate the military personnel then. It was first the residence of a Dutch commander Hendrik Adriaan Van Reede Tot Drakestein. 

He is also the author of the well known book “Horticus Malabaricus”, a book on the study on the flora of Kerala. And later it became the home of David Koder, a Jewish business man. The building gets its name from this man itself. It was then leashed by the CGH Earth (casino group of hotels) for a period of 25 years. After which it became the art gallery of what we know today as the famous, David Hall Gallery.


Architecture
As far as more than 315 years old the building needed a lot of restoration which was as lengthy as 19 years of hard work. It was more of restoration process than to be adding new ones. The priority was given to restore the building in its original form and beauty. No matter how much time it took at the end it was a beautiful end of the restoration process.

 The alterations made in the David Hall are in allegiance with the Dutch topology and so as the characteristics features have not been altered drastically.  We can see the typical Dutch architecture. The hall consists of a roof made out of wood with flat face rafters. It is supported by trusses across them. As of which it looks like an upturned hill. The modern lighting facilities highlight more the architectural wonder “David Hall”.

Adding to its elegance is the three-foot wide walls and the four-column windows. A well manicured garden and the trees more adds to its stardom. The hall is well equipped with a large amount of paintings. The hall is also a centre for performing arts and a complete cultural centre too. It also focuses in bringing the little known art forms into limelight and also helps the upcoming and struggling artists to portray their work. The striking goal of the hall is to make art affordable for all the people.