Hill Palace, the official residence of the Kochi royal family built in 1865 AD, is about 10 kms. from Kochi and today it is the largest archaeological museum in Kerala. Numerous species of flora including rare medicinal plants grow here.

The Palace :

The palace complex consists of 49 buildings in the traditional architectural style of Kerala, sprawled over 52 acres of beautifully landscaped terraced land housing 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 ages, wooden temple models, plaster cast models of objects from Mohanjodaro and Harappa of the Indus Valley Civilisation. The museum also houses a gallery of contemporary art. Tripunithura is well known for the nearby Chottanikara Temple and the Tripunithura Temple.

Visiting Hours :

9.00 to 12.30 hrs. and 14.00 to 16.30 hrs.
on all days except Mondays.

Getting there :

Nearest railway station : Ernakulam, about 10 km
Nearest airport : Cochin International Airport, about 30 km .