Dutch Palace
(Mattancherry Palace)
Built in oriental style, Mattancherry Palace, situated in Ernakulam
district of Kerala was originally built by the Portuguese and presented
to the king of Cochin, Veera Kerala Varma, in the year 1555 AD. It was
later taken over by the Dutch who improved it through extensions and
repairs in 1663 AD.
Since
then it came to be called the Dutch Palace, though at no time did the
Portugese nor the Dutch stayed there. One of the oldest buildings in
Kerala, the Mattancherry Palace is a portrait gallery of the kings of
Cochin.
In the centre of the building, is the Coronation Hall where the Cochin
Rajas held their coronations. Adjacent rooms contain 17th century Murals
depicting scenes from the great Indian epic, the Ramayana. On display in
the palace are the dresses, turbans, weapons and palanquins from that
era.
The palace is a double-storeyed quadrangular building that surrounds a
central courtyard containing a Hindu Temple, enshrining the royal deity,
Palayannur Bhagavati. Two more temples are situated on either side of
the Palace dedicated to Lord Krishna & Lord Siva respectively.
General Information
Location
Ernakulam, Kerala.
Timings
The palace is open all days for the
public between 10 am and 5 pm except on Fridays and National Holidays.
Photography is not permitted.
Built By
Portugese
Built In
1555 A.D.
Prime Attractions of Cochin (Kochi)
A Scenic island near the city of Ernakulam, Bolghatty
is famous for the Bolghatty Palace built by the Dutch in 1744 AD.
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A leisurely walk through the lanes of the city is
the best way to discover historic Fort Kochi. An obscure fishing village
that became the first European township in India, Kochi has an eventful
and colourful history.
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The oldest synagogue in India, it was built in 1586
AD by the prosperous Jewish community whose links with Kerala began in
Kodungalloor in northern Kerala.
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