Mattancherry Palace (Dutch Palace), Cochin

Timings

10 AM–5 PM

Closed

Fridays and national holidays

Photography

Not allowed inside

Best time

November to February

Nearest airport

Cochin International Airport (about 41 km)

Nearest railway station

Ernakulam (about 10 km)

History

The palace was a Portuguese gift to the Kochi king, offered as a peace gesture after a temple had been looted. After the Dutch renovation of 1663 the royal family continued to alter and extend it, and it served for generations as the setting for coronations and court events.

Architecture

The building follows the Kerala nalukettu plan, arranged in four wings around a central courtyard. In the courtyard is a small temple to Pazhayannur Bhagavathi, the protective deity of Kochi's royal household, and there are two more temples beside the palace, one for Krishna and one for Shiva.

Look for European touches in the shape of the arches and the size of the rooms, the carved wooden ceiling of the dining hall studded with brass cups, and the dark, glossy floor. It looks like black marble but was made from a mix of burnt coconut shell, charcoal, lime, egg white and the juices of certain plants.

Murals and exhibits

The wall paintings are the main reason to visit. They show episodes from the Ramayana and Mahabharata along with Hindu deities, including Guruvayurappan, in the rich temple style of Kerala. The galleries also display life-size portraits of the Kochi Rajas, royal coins, swords and ceremonial weapons, with labels in several languages.

Timings and tips

The palace opens 10 AM–5 PM, but it shuts every Friday and on national holidays. Photography is not allowed inside. November to February is the most comfortable time for walking around Mattancherry and Fort Kochi. Keep an hour or so for the palace and combine it with the Jewish Town and Paradesi Synagogue a short walk away.

How to reach

Cochin International Airport is about 41 km away. Ernakulam is the nearest major railway station at roughly 10 km, and the Ernakulam bus station is about 11 km. Taxis, autos and the ferry to Fort Kochi make the last leg easy. We can arrange a guided Kochi heritage day that covers the palace.

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