Kerala was once land of kings and queens of a number of princely states. Different palaces spread across the Kerala are a fine example of the architecture styles and craftsmanship followed during those.
Padmanabhapuram Palace, Nagarcoil
A fine example of traditional Kerala architecture, this palace was built in 1601 by Iravipillai Iravivarma Kulasekhara Perumal – Who was the ruler of Travancore. The palace was built at the foot of the Veli hills at Thuckalay, 50 kilometers south of Thiruvanthapuram, which was the former capital of the Travancore state. In the 18th Century the capital of the Travancore dynasty was shifted to Thiruvananthapuram, from then on the glory of the palace was not the same, it was diminishing. Now the palace complex is in the state of Tamil Nadu, but the palace complex is under the procession of the govt. of Kerala.
Some of the interesting facts which you find here are :
Mantrasala – The council chamber has windows colored with mica and cool dark flooring, delicate lattice work could be see all over the chamber.
Natakashala – The hall were Art performance were organized. This building was the initiative of the Swathi Tirunal, who was a lover of dance and music. He himself was a singer and has left a legacy to Carnatic music.
Thai kottaram – Mothers palace is the oldest of the building built in the palace complex with sloping roofs on all four sides. And an open air courtyard is placed at the center of the building “Nallukettu”. The building has uniquely important room with beautiful carvings done on a single piece of wood.
Other features are
- There is a 300 year old clock tower which still works perfectly.
- A secret passage which leads to a different palace, it was known only to the family members, which was used if the palace was attacked.
- Room with foreign gifts presented to the Kind, variety of warfare equipments, furniture and other materials used by the royal family.
Hill palace, cochin
This palace was built by the Rajas of Cochin on a hillock in the year 1865 at Tripunithara, about 5 kilometers from Cochin. This was used as palace and an administration center for the princely state of Cochin. The palace was handed over to the govt. of Kerala in the year 1980 by the Cochin royal family. A part of the palace complex was converted into a museum and which displays murals, paintings, sculpture, manuscripts, and inscriptions of the Cochin royal family. A center for heritage studies function at one part of the Palace complex.
Mattancherry Palace, cochin
This palace was built by the prtugese in the authentic Kerala style and was gifted to the Raja of Kochi – Veera Kerala Varma in the year 1555. This was as a welcome present for the Raja. When, Vasco da Gama, the Portuguese explorer landed in Beypore, North of Kerala. The Samoodiris did not welcome him and even resisted him. The King of Kochi welcomed the explorer and gave permission to built factories and merchant establishments in Cochin. The palace is built in authentic Kerala Style with a “Nallukettu” – a quadrangular open courtyard at the center of the palace. This was purely built with all the facilities for the King to live. It was built close to a temple with a huge pond within the palace complex. The Dutch took over the palace in the year 1663 and renovated the palace, for this reason the palace is also known as the Dutch palace. The wall of the palace is painted with mural paintings with depictions from Mahabaratha, which is a major attraction. Now the palace functions as a museum with the exhibits of the things used by the Rajas of Cochin. The palace has changed hands many times and was with the British East India Company before independence.
Kanakakunnu Palace, Thiruvanthapuram
Located in Trivandrum the palace was the summer palace of the royal family of Travancore. The palace was built by Sree Moolam Thirunnal – Raja of Travancore and later the Palace was renovated by Sree Swathi Thirunal. Beautiful chandeliers and a large collection of the royal furniture is found here. The palace was more of a guest house to entertain the royal guests the palace with its stunning architecture is a remaining legacy of the colonial era. Today the palace hosts to a lot of cultural and art programs like the Nishgandi festival. The Nisagandhi open-air auditorium is located within the palace compound.
Shakthan Tampuran Palace, Trissur
The palace is named after the most powerful King of the Kochi kingdom – Rama Varma Shakthan Tamburan, his reign was considered to be a golden era for the dynasty of Cochin. The palace is built in a kerala dutch style in the year 1795 near to the Vadakkumnathan temple in the town of Trissur. The rooms are very much spacious and the unique construction offered a good stay irrespective of the climate. Today the palace is converted into a museum under the archeological department, with the exhibits of the royal kings.
Bolgatty Palace, Cochin
Bolgatty palace was built by Dutch traders in the year 1744, the palace was built in an island in the backwaters of Cochin named after the palace – Bogatty island. It is very much close to the town of Ernakulam. It is considered to one of the oldest Dutch palaces outside Holland. The palace is made of wood, glass and mortar. It was the residence of the Dutch governor of Kochi. Later it was given to the East India Company on lease and post independence it came into the hands of the govt. of Kerala. Today it is run as heritage, palace resort by the govt. of Kerala.