Quilon, or Kollam, as it is now known, is an old coastal town which has been a major trading post for several centuries. Besides its trading in medieval days with the Phoenicians, Greeks, Arabs and Romans, it is also known in more recent history as one of the biggest trade outpost for the European colonists. Today it is at one end of the most popular backwater route, the Alleppey-Quilon wade. There are a few interesting churches here and a famous lighthouse at Thangassery. Quilon is known for its cashewnuts, which are exported in huge quantities. There is a beautiful beach at Kochipilamoodu, which thanks to its remoteness is frequented only by locals, practically undiscovered by tourists yet. Interestingly, the Malayalam (Kerala) calendar is calculated from the day that the city of Quilon was established. It is about 65 km to the north of Trivandrum and can be driven to easily in just over an hour. It is also a major railhead in the southern railway.
History :
The city has changed its name frequently and known as Desinganadu, Kollam, and Quilon at various points of time. It has sustained commercial reputation from the days of Phoenicians and the Romans. Ibn Batuta identified it as one of the five ports he saw in the time span of 24 years during his travel in India. The rulers of Quilon and China had diplomatic relations in the 14th century and they exchanged embassies with each other. There was a flourishing Chinese settlement at Quilon during that period. Great Venetian traveler Marco Polo visited the city in 1275 in his capacity as a Chinese Mandarin. From the beginning of 16th century, the Portuguese, Dutch, and British came in quick succession to establish trading centers at Quilon. British stationed a garrison at Quilon in pursuance of a treaty between Travancore and British in the 18th century.
Cities of Kerala
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Tourist Attraction of Quilon :
Ashtamudi Lake, Kottarakkara, Pullichira Church, Rameshwara, Ashramam picnic village, Thangassery Light house.
How to get there :
By Air :
The nearest air port, Trivandrum, is 71 kms away, It takes fractionally over an hour to get to Quilon by road or rail from Trivandrum.
By Rail:
Quilon is connected by rail with several important cities.
By Road :
Quilon is connected by road with many tourist centers in India.
