Archive · 30 Sep 2026
Fire damages Fort Kochi’s Koder House and Jewish legacy
The Koder House is an old and important building in Fort Kochi.
It was badly damaged by a fire on September 29.
Fire officials said the top floor was destroyed.
The building may be 200 to 300 years old, but experts do not know its exact age.
A Jewish family called the Koders later made it their home.
The family was important in Fort Kochi’s business and electricity history.
The building also had a guest house connected by a wooden bridge.
A small pool called a Mikvah was used for Jewish ritual baths.
Many old photographs, paintings and valuable furnishings were lost in the fire.
A major fire on September 29 damaged the heritage Koder House in Fort Kochi, which operated as a luxury hotel.
Fire officials said the top floor was gutted, including its ancient roof and columns.
Experts estimate the structure is at least two to three centuries old, though its exact construction date is unknown.
The building was renovated as a family home by SS Koder, a patriarch of a Paradesi Jewish family.
Historical photographs, paintings, furniture and tapestries inside the building were destroyed, while the guest house, bridge and Mikvah were reportedly protected.
- Who
- The Koder family, heritage experts, fire service officials and the current owners of Koder House are involved in the account.
- What
- A major fire damaged the historic Koder House, destroying its top floor, roof, columns and interior heritage materials.
- When
- The fire occurred on September 29.
- Where
- Koder House in Fort Kochi, Kochi, Kerala.
- Why
- The articles do not establish the cause of the fire; the building’s historical significance made the damage a major heritage loss.
Earlier Dutch-era origins
Later Portuguese-era description
Age and construction history
Earlier Dutch-era origins
Heritage experts said the building may date to the Dutch period in Kochi, between 1663 and 1795, and may be two to three centuries old.
Later Portuguese-era description
The hotel’s website described Koder House as a Portuguese structure, but historians and heritage experts said it was more recent and that its exact construction year cannot be established.
Koder family origins
Earlier Dutch-era origins
KJ Sohan said the Koders were Paradesi Jews whose community largely immigrated from Spain and other parts of Europe.
Later Portuguese-era description
Bony Thomas said the family is believed to have migrated from Iraq and that its roots can be traced to West Asia.
- Building
- Koder House, a heritage landmark that was operating as a luxury hotel
- Fire date
- September 29
- Estimated age
- Experts described the structure as at least two to three centuries old
- Historical association
- Renovated and used as a family home by SS Koder of a Paradesi Jewish family
- Damage
- The top floor, ancient roof and columns were gutted
- Lost contents
- Historical photographs, paintings, furniture and tapestries were inside the damaged building
- Protected features
- The nearby guest house, wooden bridge and Mikvah were reportedly spared from the flames