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Kochi: Mattanchery palace or Dutch palace |
Open: 9:45 am to 1 pm and 2 pm to 4:45 pm
Entry fee: Rs 5
Closed on Fridays
The Mattanchery Palace located in Palace Road, Mattanchery, was
built around 1555 AD by the Portuguese. It was presented to the then Raja of Cochin,
Veera Kerala Varma. For around 200 years from then, it became the residence of
the royal family. This Portuguese palace was later in early 1660’s renovated
and extended by the Dutch and thus became the 'Dutch Palace' that we know and
see today.
The Dutch Palace has a typical Kerala naalukettu style
architecture having four buildings surrounding a central courtyard which has a
temple dedicated to pazhayannur Bhagavati, which presents a wonderful example
of cultural and religious unity in spite of the differences. The palace which
has such a historical importance is presently under the Archaeological Survey
Of India(ASI) and was turned into a museum in 1985 which now exhibits articles,
artefacts and paintings from the Portuguese era to the different generations of
the Varma rulers including mural paintings, royal attire, palanquins, royal
furniture, weapons, coins, howdahs along with royal family photos and other
informative notices. Beautifully preserved mural paintings, some of which
illustrate episodes from the Ramayana, Mahabharata, Krishna Leela are some of
the major attractions. Some of the other paintings have goddess Lakshmi seated
on a lotus, Lord Vishnu, Siva Parvathy in ardhanareeshwara position, events
from Kumarasambhava (renowned piece of work by Kalidasa) etc.
The Dutch palace is situated on an easily approachable part of
Mattanchery. From the Ernakulam junction (South) railway station it is only
around 10 km. The lower floor of the palace is not open to the tourists and
stairs leads to the museum. Photography of some mural paintings are strictly
prohibited whereas photos of other exhibits can be captured. One would usually require
1 hour to view all the exhibits. It is surely worth a visit when in Kochi.
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