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Mattancherry Palace
The Mattancherry Palace which is also known as the Dutch Palace is situated at Mattancherry, Kochi in Ernakulam district. The famous Mattancherry Palace was built by the Portuguese in the year 1555. It was built by the Portuguese to present it to the Raja of Cochin, Veera Kerala Varma (1537-61). They presented it as a gesture of goodwill for securing their trading privileges. The Dutch carried out some extensions and renovations in the palace in 1663 and thereafter it was known as the Dutch Palace.
The Palace is an amazingly constructed quadrangular structure built in Nalukettu style, the traditional Kerala style of architecture with a courtyard in the middle. There is a small temple dedicated to 'Pazhayannur Bhagavathy', the protective goddess of the Kochi royal family, in the courtyard. Certain elements of architecture such as the nature of its arches and the proportion of its chambers are indicative of European influence in basic Nalukettu style. The dining hall has a carved wooden ornate ceiling decorated with a series of brass cups. The palace also contains rare examples of traditional Kerala flooring which looks like polished black marble, but is actually a mixture of burned coconut shells, charcoal, lime, plant juices and egg whites.
In 1951, Mattancherry Palace was restored and declared a centrally protected monument. The palace is already undergoing a second restoration by the Archaeological Survey of India. The restoration will raise the historical structure to a building and a museum of international standards, preserving its originality yet highlighting the important facets. The palace is an architectural masterpiece displaying the blend between colonial and Kerala architecture. The restoration aims at showcasing its true grandeur.
Today, it is a portrait gallery of the Cochin Rajas and notable for some of the best mythological murals in India, which are in the best traditions of Hindu temple art. Portraits of the Rajas of Cochin, from 1864 onwards, are displayed in what was once the Coronation Hall. These were painted by local artists in western style. The ceiling of the hall is decorated with floral designs in wood craft. Amongst the other exhibits in the palace are an ivory palanquin, a howdah, royal umbrellas, ceremonial dress used by the royalty, coins, stamps and drawings.
The Palace is an amazingly constructed quadrangular structure built in Nalukettu style, the traditional Kerala style of architecture with a courtyard in the middle. There is a small temple dedicated to 'Pazhayannur Bhagavathy', the protective goddess of the Kochi royal family, in the courtyard. Certain elements of architecture such as the nature of its arches and the proportion of its chambers are indicative of European influence in basic Nalukettu style. The dining hall has a carved wooden ornate ceiling decorated with a series of brass cups. The palace also contains rare examples of traditional Kerala flooring which looks like polished black marble, but is actually a mixture of burned coconut shells, charcoal, lime, plant juices and egg whites.
In 1951, Mattancherry Palace was restored and declared a centrally protected monument. The palace is already undergoing a second restoration by the Archaeological Survey of India. The restoration will raise the historical structure to a building and a museum of international standards, preserving its originality yet highlighting the important facets. The palace is an architectural masterpiece displaying the blend between colonial and Kerala architecture. The restoration aims at showcasing its true grandeur.
Today, it is a portrait gallery of the Cochin Rajas and notable for some of the best mythological murals in India, which are in the best traditions of Hindu temple art. Portraits of the Rajas of Cochin, from 1864 onwards, are displayed in what was once the Coronation Hall. These were painted by local artists in western style. The ceiling of the hall is decorated with floral designs in wood craft. Amongst the other exhibits in the palace are an ivory palanquin, a howdah, royal umbrellas, ceremonial dress used by the royalty, coins, stamps and drawings.