Hill Palace Museum – Kerala’s Largest Royal Heritage Museum
Hill Palace Museum is situated in Thripunithura, Kochi, in the state of Kerala. Originally constructed in 1865 by the Maharaja of Cochin, it is Kerala's first-ever Heritage Museum which once served as the administrative hub and official residence of the Cochin Maharaja. Today, it is renowned for being a full-fledged Ethno-Archaeological Museum.
The palace complex comprises 49 buildings constructed in the traditional Kerala architectural style, spread over 52 acres of terraced land. It features an archaeological museum, a heritage museum, a deer park, a pre-historic park, and a children's park. The museum's campus hosts rare species of medicinal plants. The Cochin royal family handed over the palace to the government of Kerala, and in 1980, the Department of Archaeology assumed control, subsequently transforming it into a museum. It opened to the public in 1986 and became a popular filming location for Malayalam movies. Notably, it served as the backdrop for the blockbuster Malayalam film "Manichitrathazhu."
Within the museum, visitors can explore oil paintings, murals, sculptures, manuscripts, and personal items of the Kochi royal family. The collection also includes antique ceramics from the Far East, Kudakkallu (tombstone), Thoppikkallu (hood stone), as well as laterite memorials and wooden memorials from ancient civilizations like the Indus Valley and Harappa. Additionally, there is a gallery dedicated to contemporary art.
Entry Time:
9 AM to 4 PM
Closed on Mondays and national holidays.
Visiting hours:
2 to 3 Hrs
Entry fee:
For Adults: INR 40
For Children (above 12 years): INR 20
For Children (below 5 years): Free
Best Time to Visit:
October to May
Famous For:
Hill Palace Museum in Thripunithura is renowned as the first heritage museum in Kerala, famous for its rich history and antiquity.
How to reach:
By Air : Cochin International Airport is the nearest airport, 32.4 Km away from Hill Palace Museum. From the airport, you can avail of public transport or get a cab/ taxi to reach the palace.
By Train :Ernakulam Junction Railway Station is the nearest railway station, 11.3 Km away from Hill Palace Museum. From the railway station, you can avail of public transport or get a cab/ taxi to reach the palace.
By Road :Hill Palace Museum is easily accessible by road. You can choose private transportation, take a bus, or hire a cab to reach the palace.