Palaces In Cochin



Mattancherry Palace


Mattancherry Palace, also known as the Dutch Palace, in Mattancherry, Kochi, features Kerala murals depicting Hindu temple art, portraits and exhibits of the Rajas of Kochi.Mattancherry Palace with its medieval charm is situated at Palace Road, Mattancherry, Kochi. It was built by the Portuguese and presented to Veera Kerala Varma (1537–65), Raja of Kochi, in 1555 AD. 


  • The palace is a quadrangular structure built in Nālukettu style, the traditional Kerala style of architecture, with a courtyard in the middle. In the courtyard there stands a small temple dedicated to 'Pazhayannur Bhagavati', the protective goddess of the Kochi royal family. 
  • There are two more temples on either side of the Palace, one dedicated to Lord Krishna and the other to Lord Siva. Certain elements of architecture, as for example the nature of its arches and the proportion of its chambers are indicative of European influence in basic Nāluketttu style.
  • The Palace was built and gifted by the Portuguese as a present to the Raja of Cochin around 1555. 
  • The Dutch carried out some extensions and renovations in the palace in 1663, and thereafter it was popularly called Dutch Palace. The rajas also made more improvements to it. Today, it is a portrait gallery of the Cochin Rajas and notable for some of the best mythological murals in India, which are in the best traditions of Hindu temple art. The palace was built to appease the king after they plundered a temple nearby.
  • The landing of Vasco da Gama, the Portuguese explorer at Kappad in 1498 was welcomed by the Kochi rulers. They were given exclusive right to construct factories. The Portuguese repulsed the repeated attacks of the Zamorins and the Cochin Rajas practically became vassals of the Portuguese. 
  • The influence of the Portuguese were supplanted by the Dutch and they took over Mattancherry in 1663.[1] Subsequently, the area was taken over by Hyder Ali and still later by the British East India Company
  • Certain elements of architecture, as for example the nature of its arches and the proportion of its chambers are indicative of European influence in basic Nāluketttu style.
  • The Dining Hall has carved wooden ornate ceiling decorated with a series of brass cups. The palace also contains rare examples of traditional Kerala flooring, which looks like polished black marble but is actually a mixture of burned coconut shells, charcoal, lime, plant juices and egg whites


  • Location: Mattancherry, 10 km from Ernakulam.




  • Visiting hours: 1000 - 1700 hours on all days except Fridays.
  • Built by the Portuguese in 1557 and presented to Raja Veera Kerala Varma of Kochi, the Palace was renovated in 1663 by the Dutch. The palace with a Bhagavathi Temple in the central courtyard is built like the typical Kerala style mansion - the Nalukettu - the home of the aristocracy, nobility and upper classes, with four separate wings opening out to a central courtyard.
  • The double storeyed palace building which stands by the panoramic Kochi backwaters has an exquisite collection of murals collectively covering over 300 sq ft of its walls. The themes of these murals have been borrowed from the great Indian epics - the Ramayana and the Mahabharatha, and mythology and legends about the Hindu gods especially Guruvayurappan. 
  • Some murals depict scenes from Kumarasambhavam and other works of the great Sanskrit poet Kalidasa. Also on display are royal paraphernalia like weapons, swings and furniture which offer a glimpse of the lifestyle of the royal family.

Getting there: 


  • There are frequent bus and boat services to Mattancherry. The boats start from main Boat Jetty near Subash Park at Ernakulam town.
  • Nearest railway station: Ernakulam, about 10 km
  • Nearest airport: Cochin International Airport, about 20 km from Ernakulam town.





Hill Palace

is the largest archaeological museum in Kerala, near Tripunithura.[6] It was the administrative office of Kochi Rajas. Built in 1865, the Palace complex consists of 49 buildings in the traditional architectural style, spreading across in 54 acres (220,000 m2). The complex has an archaeological Museum, a Heritage Museum, a Deer Park, a prehistoric park and a children's park.[7]

  • The Hill Palace, the official residence of the Kochi royal family, is today the largest archaeological museum in Kerala. Built in 1865, the palace complex consists of 49 buildings in the trational architectural style of Kerala, sprawled over 52 acres of beautifully landscaped terraced land which houses a deer park and facilities for horse riding. Numerous species of flora including rare medicinal plants grow here. 
  • On display in the full-fledged Ethno-archaeological museum are oil-paintings, murals, sculptures in stone and manuscripts, inscriptions, coins, belongings of the Kochi royal family and royal furniture including the simhasana (throne).
  • Also exhibited are over 200 antique pieces of pottery and ceramic vases from Japan and China, Kudakkallu (tomb stone), Thoppikkallu(hood stone), menhirs, granite, laterite memorials, rock-cut weapons from the Stone Age, wooden temple models, plaster cast models of objects from Mohenjodaro and Harappa of the Indus Valley Civilisation. The museum also houses a gallery of contemporary art.
Getting there:
  • Nearest railway station: Ernakulam, about 10 km.
  • Nearest airport: Cochin International Airport, about 30 km.


















Bolgatty Palace 

Built by the Dutch in India, it is located in the scenic island popularly known as Bolgatty island in Kochi. One of the oldest existing Dutch palaces outside Holland, this quaint mansion, built in 1744, by Dutch traders, was later extended and lush green gardens were landscaped around it. 

The building was then the Governor's palace for the Dutch and later in 1909 was leased to the British. It served as the home of the British Governors, the seat of the British Resident of Cochin during the British regime. In 1947, when India gained independence, the palace became the property of the state and later converted into a heritage hotel resort.

Location: Bolghatty Island, CochinHighlights : 

  • Oldest existing palaces built by the Dutch in India How to Reach: Once you have landed in Kochi City, you can reach the place with the help of hired cars, taxis, auto-rickshaws or ferry. 

  • The splendid Bolghatty Palace is located on the Bolghatty Islands, in the Cochin city of Kerala. The appeal of the palace lies in the fact that it is among the oldest existing palaces built by the Dutch in India, during the pre-British times. 
  • Kochi has long been one of the important trading centers of India, attracting traders and seafarers from far and near. In 1744, the Dutch traders built this palace, initially as a villa. Later, the villa was extended and lush green gardens were added all around it. 
  • During those days, the Bolgatty Palace sued to serve as the Dutch Governor's residence. Later, in 1909, the palace was leased to the British, who turned it into a residence for the British governors. In 1947, after India gained her independence, the Bolghatty Palace of Cochin became the property of the state and was later transformed into a heritage hotel resort. Also referred to as the Hotel Bolgatty Palace, it is now under the administration of the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC). 
  • Set in the middle of a fabulous garden, the palace has slowly metamorphosed into an esteemed heritage hotel. With the spectacular backwaters of Cochin as the background, the scenery around the palace is simply breathtaking. 
  • Hotel Boghatty Palace is a two-storey building, with tastefully decorated bedchambers and a huge lounge, wherein historical portraits are displayed. The hotel proffers executive suites, deluxe rooms and honeymoon & lakefront cottages along the edge of the backwaters for tourists to stay. 
  • Bolgatty Palace is located on the Bolgatty Island in Kochi. This palace was built by the Dutch in the year 1744 and is the oldest Dutch palace outside Holland. Later it was given as lease to the British in 1909 who made it their residence until 1949. This palace faces the estuary of Vembanad Lake.
  • At present it is a heritage hotel that provides world class facilities to the visitors. The heritage hotel has been renovated by the KTDC and was acquired by them in the year 1976. Bolgatty palace is encircled by a 9-hole golf course.  It is an important tourist destination and people from all over the world come to this palace to spend their holidays. There are 26 rooms in this hotel which are classified as Palace Suite, Executive Suite, Deluxe Room, and Lake Front Cottage.
  •  The amenities provided here are the best and enables the tourist to have a comfortable stay. Some of the amenities provided in this hotel include a Multi cuisine Restaurant, Conference Hall, Swimming Pool, Ayurvedic Center, Travel Assistance, Picnic Spot, TV, Daily Kathakali Performance and many others. The surrounding area of this palace is around 8 acres and horse riding can be done from here.


How to Reach

District :
Ernakulam
Nearest Bus Station :
Ernakulam Bus terminal at a distance of 2 kms
Nearest Railway Station :
Ernakulam railway station at a distance of 2 kms
Nearest Airport : Cochin International Airport at a distance of 30 kms














Paliam Palace,Chendamangalam

t is about 42 km from Kochi. The Paliam Palace, residence of the Paliath Achans, hereditary Prime Ministers to the former Maharajas of Kochi, is one of the architectural splendours of Kerala. The Palace is over 450 years old and houses a collection of historic documents and relics.

  • Chendamangalam (or Chennamangalam) is a small town and a panchayat inParavur Taluk, Ernakulam district in the state of Kerala, India. It is about 23 km fromErnakulam. It has three rivers, seven inlets, hillocks and large expanses of green plain.The Paliam Palace, residence of the Paliath Achans, hereditary Prime Ministers to the former Maharajas of Kochi, is one of the architectural splendours of Kerala. The Palace is over 450 years old and houses a collection of historic documents and relics.
  • The Jews arrived in Chendamangalam after the destruction of the second temple and the final desolation of Jerusalem in (AD 69) and founded a colony. They moved to Fort Kochi in 1341 AD after the Great flood. All the synagogues in Kerala - Chendamangalam, Mala, and Kochi 
  • - have similar traditional architectural features: a central bimah of brass or silver metal on a concrete or stone base, an ark on the western wall, a balcony above the eastern entry to the sanctuary that is used by the reader on certain holidays. Behind the balcony is the women's gallery, with a stairway leading up to it, usually from outside the building.
  • Location: About 42 km from Ernakulam 
  • Highlights: A Hindu temple, a church, a mosque and the remains of a Jewish synagogue 
  • How to Reach: The nearest railway station from here is Ernakulam, located about 42 km away. The nearest airport is Cochin International Airport, situated 20 km away. Chendamangalam is also well connected by road. 
  • Comprising of three rivers, seven inlets, hillocks and green pastures, Chendamangalam is an amazing little town. It is located in Paravur Taluk of the Ernakulam district of Kerala. Tourists touring Cochin also explore Chenda Mangalam to see the magnificent Paliam Palace. 
  • The palace is a sheer architectural splendor and was once used as the residence of the Paliath Achans, who were the hereditary prime ministers to the former Maharajas of the erstwhile state of Kochi. 
  • Paliath Palace is more than 450 years old and still holds an array of historic documents and relics. Anybody visiting Chendamangalam is also sure to visit the hillock at Kottayil Kovilakom. Its uniqueness lies in the fact that it acts as a common site for a Hindu temple, a church, a mosque and the remains of a Jewish synagogue. Infact, all these edifices are located within one km of each other. The Jewish synagogue was built in 1614 AD and the courtyard behind this synagogue has old Jewish graves, including that of a Jewish woman dated 1264 A.D.
  • It is said that the Jews came to Chenda Mangalam in Kerala after the final destruction of Jerusalem in 69 AD and founded a colony here. They later moved to Fort Kochi located in the Kochi city of Kerala in 1341 AD, after the great flood. Remains of Jewish existence can still be seen around Chendamangalam in the Chendamangalam synagogue, which is adorned with traditional architectural features. You will also find remains of the Vypeenakotta Seminary built by the Portuguese during the 16th century. 
  • Adjacent to this seminary is an old Syrian Catholic Church, built in the year 1201. The famous Hindu temple, Sree Venugopala Krishna Swami Dewasthan, was established at Chendamangalam in 1900 AD. Earlier, this temple was known as Jayantha Mangalam. The main deity of the temple is Venugopalakrishna Swami. 
  • The temple celebrates six-days long annual festival in the month of Vaisakh. Sree Venugopala Krishna Swami Dewasthan temple of Chendamangalam is a huge attraction for both locals as well as tourists. 

















No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)