Hill Palace Museum, Cochin

Location

Tripunithura, Kochi

Ideal time needed

2 to 3 hours

Best time

October to March

History

The palace complex was built in 1865, when the rulers of the Kingdom of Cochin made Tripunithura their royal seat. It remained with the family until after Independence, when the property passed to the state. The Kerala State Archaeology Department later converted it into a museum and opened it to the public, so the rooms you walk through today were once part of a working royal household.

What to see

The galleries display objects once owned by the royal family: crowns and ornaments, ceremonial items, weapons, paintings, furniture and palanquins. There are also old manuscripts, inscriptions, coins and sculpture from different periods of Kerala's past.

The buildings themselves are worth attention, with sloping tiled roofs, wooden ceilings and courtyards typical of Kerala palace design. The grounds are green and shaded, and good for a slow walk after the museum.

Best time to visit

October to March brings the most pleasant weather in Kochi. Visit in the morning to avoid the afternoon heat, and allow two to three hours. Like many state museums, it keeps a weekly closing day, so check timings before you go.

How to reach

Tripunithura is well connected with the rest of Kochi by road and by the Kochi Metro, and it also has its own railway station. Ernakulam's main stations and Cochin International Airport are both within driving distance. We can include Hill Palace in a Kochi sightseeing day with Fort Kochi and Mattancherry.

Tips for your visit

Photography is usually restricted inside the galleries, so ask at the ticket counter. Wear light cotton clothing and comfortable footwear, as there is a fair amount of walking between buildings and through the gardens. Families with children will find the open grounds a good place to take a break between galleries.

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