Hill Palace, Tripunithura was the administrative seat and residence of Kochi royal family, was being built in 1865 by Kochi Maharaja. As the palace was being constructed on a hillock, it is known as Hill Palace. This 19th century building is situated on Ernakulam- Chottanikkara route, so close to Tripunithura at a distance of 2 kms and is 12 kms away from Ernakulam. It spans over 54 acres and consists 49 buildings. Single storied ‘Ettukettu’ with an adjacent pond, temple and kulappura, was constructed in typical Kerala architecture is the oldest structure here. The roof of the palace is perfectly done by Mangalore tiles which gives great protection from heavy downpour, longevity and asthetic appearance. The other buildings are a combination of traditional and western architecture.
Hill palace was taken over by the Department Of Archaeology in 1980 and converted it into a Museum. The complex has Kerala’s largest archaeological museum and first ever heritage museum, a deer park, a pre-historic park and a children’s park. It was opened to the public in 1986. It has neatly maintained garden with fountains, ponds and lawns and rare medicinal plants are growing in the surrounding palace land. There is also a grave of Pareekshith Thampuran near the museum.
The museum displays finest 14 categories of articles donated by Kochi & Travancore royal families and the Paliam Devaswom which includes murals, paintings, coins, sculptures in stone and plaster of paris, manuscripts, inscriptions, carvings, archeological findings. The museum is preserving gold crown, ornaments & precious stones of Maharaja era.
An institute set up by the Department of Cultural Affairs, operates here in the Hill Palace.
The palace is open except Mondays from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm and 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm.
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