The Hill Palace, Kerala's first heritage museum
The Hill Palace, Kerala's first heritage museum noted for
royal collections of the erstwhile Maharaja of Kochi, is today the largest
archaeological museum in Kerala. Built in 1865, the palace complex consists of
49 buildings in the trational architectural style of Kerala, sprawled over 52
acres of beautifully landscaped terraced land which houses a deer park and
facilities for horse riding. Numerous species of flora including rare medicinal
plants grow here. On display in the full-fledged Ethno-archaeological museum
are oil-paintings, murals, sculptures in stone and manuscripts, inscriptions,
coins, belongings of the Kochi royal family and royal furniture including the
simhasana (throne).
Also exhibited are over 200 antique pieces of pottery and
ceramic vases from Japan and China, Kudakkallu (tomb stone), Thoppikkallu (hood
stone), menhirs, granite, laterite memorials, rock-cut weapons from the Stone
Age, wooden temple models, plaster cast models of objects from Mohenjodaro and
Harappa of the Indus Valley Civilisation. The museum also houses a gallery of
contemporary art.
Visiting hours: 9.00 to 12.30 hrs &14.00 to 16.30 hrs on
all days except Mondays.
Entrance fee: Adult - Rs. 30/- Children (5-12) - Rs. 10/-
Children's Park: Open till 6.00 pm
Contact details: +91 484 2781113
Getting there
Nearest railway station: Ernakulam, about 10 km
Nearest airport: Cochin International Airport, about 33 km
