Hill Palace in Kochi is the first heritage museum in Kerala which is known for its history and antiquity. It is also said to be the largest archaeological museum in Kerala. It was the former residence of the Maharaja of Cochin and also served as the former Imperial Administrative offices. As it is set at the top of a hill, it got its name as the Hill Palace. It was built in the year 1865 and is situated in Thripunithura. Later the Hill Palace was renovated into a museum by the Archaeological Department of Kerala. The Hill Palace sprawls over an area of about 52 acres of terraced land and owns an archaeological museum, deer park, heritage museum, and a well-maintained pre-historic park. This Palace is built in traditional Kerala style architecture and it comprises of 49 buildings. The Palace makes use of 8 different galleries to display a variety of artefacts that belongs to the Kochi royal family along with Chinese and Japanese art and pottery.

Hill Palace is also the Centre for Heritage Studies, which is an autonomous research and training institute. After the renovation work in 1986, the museum was opened to the visitors. There is a 2-meter wide walkway that is built around the palace complex. You can see decorated cast iron pillars on the walkway on which fancy lamps are lit.

The doors of this palace are decorated with integrated wood carvings. The palace complex has 8 different galleries. The cabinet gallery, The Portrait Gallery, Wood Carvings Gallery, Jewellery Gallery, Epigraphy Gallery, Folklore and Folk Arts gallery, Numismatic Gallery, Chariots Gallery, and Sculpture Gallery are the most important among them.

The belongings of the Kochi royal family and royal furniture including the simhasana (throne), Murals, oil-paintings, inscriptions, coins, sculptures in stone and manuscripts are exhibited in the Hill Palace. This palace has Chinese and Japanese art and pottery which are also displayed here. The palace complex houses a variety of plants including various plants that exhibit medicinal properties. This heritage museum is truly the pride of Kerala.

Entry & Exit Timings:

All days of the week. Entry Time : 9:00 AM. Exit Time : 4:30 PM.

Best Time To Visit : Throughout the year, except Mondays.

Nearest Tourist places :

Sree Poornathrayesa Temple :It is situated in Tripunithura at a distance of 2.8 Km from Hill Palace. It is first among the 8 royal temples of the former Kochi Kingdom and is considered to be one of the greatest temples in Kerala.

Kerala Folklore Museum : It is at a distance of 8.2 Km from Hill Palace. It is a cultural hub which is built to promote and preserve the culture & heritage of South India.

Thanneerchal Park : It is in Tripunithura at a distance of 2.3 Km from Hill Palace. This is a newly opened entertainment park in Tripunithura and is developed by the Tripunithura municipality. Boating is the main attraction of this park and there are several other play structures available in this park.

Subash Park : It is at a distance of 12.4 Km from Hill Palace. This is a well-maintained public park that faces the Cochin Harbour and the Vembanad Lake.

Way to Reach :

 By Air - Cochin International Airport is the nearest airport to the Hill Palace Kochi which is situated at a distance of 32 Km.

 By Rail - Ernakulam Railway Station is the nearest railway station to the Hill Palace Kochi which is situated at a distance of 10.9 Km.

 By Bus - Ernakulam KSRTC Bus Station is the nearest bus station to the Hill Palace Kochi which is situated at a distance of 12 Km.