Mattencherry Palace in Kochi

A double-storeyed structure exemplifying the blend of colonial and Kerala architectural styles faces the tranquil backwaters of Kochi in the neighbourhood of Mattancherry.

Built by the Portuguese in 1555, the Mattancherry Palace was presented to the erstwhile ruler, Raja Veera Kerala Varma of Kingdom of Cochin. It was renovated almost a century later in 1663 by the Dutch who took the credit for its alternate title, the Dutch Palace. Today, it houses a portrait gallery displaying artefacts of the Cochin Rajas. The Mattancherry Palace in Kochi is also famous for having some of the best mythological murals in India.

This quadrangular structure primarily features N?lukettu style, a traditional Kerala architectural style, with a courtyard in the middle. It is a standing testimony to the nobility and lifestyles of upper classes in the region. The Bhagavathi Temple in the central courtyard enshrines the guardian deity Pazhayannur Bhagavathi. An exquisite collection of Mattancherry Palace murals covers an area of more than 300 square feet.

The ornate wooden ceiling of Dining Hall is elaborately decorated with brass cups. The palace’s traditional Kerala flooring also features noteworthy artwork. These eye-catching murals painted in vivid colours illustrate Hindu temple art and they depict scenes from ancient Hindu epics and Puranic legends in detail. The palace complex also exhibits dresses and weapons like swords and artilleries which belonged to the royal family. One section of the palace showcases the 17th and 18th-century Dutch drawings showing significant places of Cochin.