Mattancherry Palace Kochi
Mattancherry Palace
Mattancherry Palace, a wonderful gift of Portuguese to Raja Veera Kerala Varma of Kochi is not just an ancient erection but it stands to define the historic trade relation between Portuguese and Raja of Kochi. The palace was established in 1557 and cosmetic renovation was done by the Dutch back in 1663. For travelers it is a great place to advent as historic souvenir could be witnessed within and there is an essence of brilliance within that captivates the mind. The palace still owes a thankful hand to the Portuguese for constructing such an epic turret and making its stands immemorial to the pages of chronicles.
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Historical accounts
As said above the palace was built and gifted to Raja of Kochi as a mark of Portuguese generosity to improve the trade relations. The Dutch during their colonial expansion took an initiative to renovate the palace and later Raja of Kochi made wistful improvements to it. An advent of Portuguese sailor at Kappad in 1498 was seen as a chance to build a friendly relationship and he was welcomed by Raja of Kochi beside that Portuguese were given rights to establish factories. In exchange for land, the Portuguese were providing security against an attack of Zamorins.
Architecture
The palace has been constructed in typical Kerala quadrangular model and the two storeyed building has four separate wings that open to the central courtyard. The central courtyard is an instance of religious belief as it holds the royal deity of Pazhayannur Bhagavathi beside that there are two other temples set on either side of the palace and the deities are dedicated to praise the glory of Lord Shiva and Lord Krishna. The palace has a long and spacious hall and simple integration of plan with a sloping roof defining the complexity of architecture. The ground floor of the palace harbors the ladies room and the staircase runs to the Kanitahalam room. The second block of the palace holds a coronation hall, royal bed chamber, dining hall, assembly hall etc.
Flooring
The palace flooring is unique and made using a traditional mixture of burnt coconut shells, lime, plant extracts, charcoal, and egg whites, resulting in a smooth, marble-like finish that remains cool even in warm weather.
Mural paintings
Mural paintings could be considered as major highlight of the palace and there are numerous mythological mural paintings mild colours and approach. The murals of Ramayana set at Royal bed chamber defines the entire story of Ramayana, the painting is around 100 square meter and it is believed to have coloured in 17th and 18th century. The upper staircase room which was later renovated by using Dutch patronage holds numerous mural paintings but the most exciting is of Lakshmi seated on the lotus along with sleeping Vishnu, Shiva and Parvati seated with Ardhanariswara and other goddesses, the coronation of Rama, and Krishna lifting Mount Govardhana. Opposite to coronation hall there are 4 painting depicting the glory of Lord Shiva, Vishnu, devi and one incomplete one. While moving to room number 4 you would witness scenes from Kumarasambhava and other exciting works of Kalidasa.
Notable murals include:
- Complete Ramayana narrative in the royal bedchamber
- Krishna lifting Mount Govardhana
- Coronation of Lord Rama
- Lakshmi seated on a lotus
- Shiva and Parvati in Ardhanariswara form
- Scenes from Kalidasa’s Kumarasambhava
The paintings are admired for their natural pigments, intricate detailing, and mythological storytelling.
Other things on display
The coronation hall of the palace holds the life size posture of the Kochi Kings, the portraits were made by the local artist beside that there are exhibits of Dutch Map, royal palanquins with floral designs, silver sequined gowns, royal umbrellas, ceremonial royal sword and many more. These collections offer insight into the royal lifestyle and administrative traditions of the Kochi dynasty.
Restoration
Back in 1951, the palace was restored and officially declared as a protected monument by the state government of Kerala. The later renovation was carried out by the Archaeological survey team of India, the restoration put up a museum of international standard to add more to its historic chants. The process of restoration was undertaken without disturbing the real intricacy of Kerala architecture.
Mattancherry Palace
Frequently Asked Questions
Mattancherry Palace is located in Mattancherry, Kochi, Kerala, near Fort Kochi and the historic Jew Town area. The palace is easily accessible from Ernakulam railway station, Cochin Port, and other major tourist attractions in Kochi.
Although the palace was originally built by the Portuguese in 1557 and gifted to the Raja of Kochi, it was later renovated and expanded by the Dutch in 1663. This renovation led to the palace being popularly known as the Dutch Palace.
Mattancherry Palace generally remains open from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM and stays closed on Fridays and national holidays. Visitors are advised to visit during morning hours for a relaxed sightseeing experience.
A nominal entry fee is charged by the Archaeological Survey of India for visiting the palace museum. Ticket prices vary for Indian and foreign tourists, and concessional rates may be available for students.
The palace is famous for its traditional Kerala mural paintings depicting scenes from the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and other Hindu mythological stories. Created using natural pigments during the 17th and 18th centuries, these murals are admired for their intricate detailing and artistic brilliance.
Mattancherry Palace is built in the traditional Kerala Nalukettu architectural style, featuring a quadrangular layout with four wings surrounding a central courtyard, sloping tiled roofs, wooden ceilings, and climate-friendly design elements.
Visitors usually require around one to two hours to explore the palace, view the mural galleries, examine royal artefacts, and understand the historical significance of the Kochi royal family and colonial period.
Photography may be restricted inside certain sections of the palace to protect historic murals and artefacts. Visitors should follow museum guidelines and security instructions during their visit.
Major attractions include mythological mural paintings, portraits of Kochi kings, royal palanquins, ceremonial swords, Dutch-era maps, traditional costumes, and exhibits showcasing the cultural and royal heritage of Kerala.
The best time to visit Mattancherry Palace is between October and March when Kochi experiences pleasant weather, making sightseeing comfortable and ideal for exploring nearby heritage attractions.