Once a prominent centre of international trade, Kollam is now well known as hub of cashew industry and charming backwaters.
Kollam, due to its bustling trade and busy port underwent many foreign invasions, thus attaining historical importance as well. Remains of foreign occupation like lighthouse, palaces and forts are worth visiting.
Spices, pearls, diamonds and silk were exported to Egypt and Rome from this port town. When , the great Venetian traveller, visited Kollam in 1293 A.D., he found Christians and Jews and merchants from China and Arabia at Kollam.
It was one of the early centres of Christian activity in Kerala. There is mention of the presence of Syrian Christians here as early as 522 AD.
The Portuguese, the Dutch and then the British colonised Kollam and indulged in spice trade. St. Thomas Fort and the Infant Jesus Church in Thangasseri are the remnants of that past.
But, something that keeps travellers flocking to Kollam these days is the meandering waters of the Ashtamudi Lake. Get into one of those majestic houseboats and you just forget about everything else in the world.
