Hill Palace of Kerala

Hill Palace of Kerala also called the Tripunithara Hill Palace is located about 13 kilometers away from Kochi. The palace was established on a hillock in the year 1865 it served as the seat of the rulers of Kerala. . It has attained acclamation for being the first ever heritage museum of Kerala and an archeological museum with ethnic contributions. The palace museum is a big tourist spot as the hill palace Museum gives an in depth detail of the culture and customs of Kerala. The environment in and around the palace is enhanced with fountains, ponds and lawns. Botanical garden and Deer park are other attractions of the Hill Palace museum.

There are about 49 buildings in the Hill Palace of Kerala. The most ancient of all the buildings Ettukettu was constructed around 1850 AD which is a single storied building. The recent structure of the complex is a three storied building which was built in 1950. This three storied construction is meant for official use. The architectural style involves traditional Kerala art form. The other constructions in the complex are a fusion of western and traditional architecture. The Hill Palace of Kerala was improved as a museum in 1980 and since 1986 it served as a tourist place.

The museum comprises of galleries displaying arts, crafts, paintings, weapons and antique items of the royal family. A tourist has the opportunity of witnessing throne and crown of the royal dynasty decked with precious stones. The must visit fourteen galleries are:
  -   Porcelain gallery
  -   Pallayam gallery
  -   Gallery of cabinet hall
  -   Numismatic gallery
  -   Portrait gallery
  -   Weapon gallery and sculpture gallery
  -   Bronze and metal gallery
  -   Epigraphy gallery
  -   Chariots gallery
  -   Crown and jewelry gallery
  -   Folklore gallery
  -   Wood carvings gallery and Heritage museum.