Kerala has a rich repertoire of historic and cultural monuments. In regions like Fort Kochi which was a trade center for centuries, the architecture is a curious mix of typical Kerala, European, Chinese, Jewish and Arabic styles. But the most prevalent architectural style is the traditional Kerala style-nalukkettu or ettukettu (four or eight-sided structures with a center courtyard and verandah opening out to it). The low sloping roofs and brick walls were designed to match the climatic conditions and texture of the land.