Hill Palace Museum, Kochi

About Hill Palace Museum

The Hill Palace is an archaeological museum and palace located in the Tripunithura neighborhood of the city of Kochi in the Indian state of Kerala. The Hill Palace was built in 1865 by the Maharaja of Cochin and is now the largest archaeological museum in Kerala. Presently the palace has been converted into a museum by the Kerala State Archaeological Department and is open to the public.

Architecture of Hill Palace Museum

The Hill Palace includes forty-nine colonial buildings with more than 20000 square feet. The buildings are exquisite structures with a fine blend of Dutch and traditional architectural styles.

Interesting facts about Hill Palace Museum

1. The Wood Carving Gallery displays many valuables, some of which date back to the 14th century. Inscriptions of various kings, megalithic relics, crowns, ornaments, etc. from the past eras find a place in the gallery and it attracts the attention of anyone interested in history and antiquities.
2. The crown worn by the erstwhile kings of the Kochi dynasty is displayed in the cabinet hall. It is an attractive object weighing 1.75 kg and is studded with emeralds, rubies and diamonds.
3. A portrait gallery has been set up in the museum where the portraits of the Kochi kings are displayed.
4. The paintings have effortlessly captured the grandeur and subtlety of the royal monarchy. Some Tanjore paintings are also on display and the judicious use of colors in those paintings makes them preserved and displayed for generations.
5. The Porcelain Gallery has more than 150 objects for you to use in royal or aristocratic homes or traditional Kerala homes. These include cups, utensils and Chinese dishes and many other beautifully arranged antique porcelain items.

How to reach Hill Palace Museum