Dutch Palace - Monuments in Kerala

Dutch Palace

History

The Mattancherry Palace is a Portuguese palace popularly known as the Dutch Palace, in Mattancherry, Kochi. It features Kerala murals depicting Hindu temple art, portraits and exhibits of the Rajas of Kochi. The Palace was built and gifted by the Portuguese 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.

Architecture & Design

The palace is a quadrangular structure built in Nallukettu style, the traditional Kerala style of architecture, with a courtyard in the middle. In the courtyard, stands a small temple dedicated to 'Pazhayannur Bhagavathi', 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 Nallukettu 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.

Visitors info

  • Working hours : 10 am to 5 pm
  • Entrance fee : 5 Rs for all
  • Camera: not allowed
  • Holidays: Fridays and National holidays

Why Special?

The main specialty of this palace is that it is the home of the deity of the royal family, Pazhayannur Bhagavathy. The palace is constructed in traditional Kerala style of architecture which is built as a Nalukettu. And it has a courtyard in the middle where stands a small temple dedicated to the Pazhayannur Bhagavathy.

This palace attract tourists because of its brilliant collections of murals that depict the great Indian epics Mahabharata and Ramayana along with revered Gods of the Hindu faith like Guruvayurappan (Lord Krishna).

Other exhibits of this palace include life-size portraits of all the kings of Cochin since 1864, royal caps, royal furniture, coins issued by the Kings of Cochin, sheathed swords, ceremonial spears decorated with feathers, daggers, and axes. This palace also has the murals that depict the great works of the Sanskrit poet Kalidasa.

What you will Experience

It is a well-maintained old historical palace. It is a cool and silent place. The wall paintings and the exhibits of the palace help to know the history of Kerala and its ancient tradition. The wooden ceiling of the palace is very impressive. The murals and the exhibits are showcased along with their explanations in different languages which are really informative. It is a place worth visiting.

Best Time To Visit : Mid November-February.

Way to Reach

 By Air - Cochin International Airport is the nearest airport to the Dutch Palace Kochi which is situated at a distance of 40.9 Km.

 By Rail - Ernakulam Railway Station is the nearest railway station to the Dutch Palace Kochi which is situated at a distance of 10 Km.

 By Bus - Ernakulam Bus Station is the nearest bus station to the Dutch Palace Kochi which is situated at a distance of 11.4 Km.