Mattancherry Palace (Dutch Palace) Tourism

Mattancherry Palace, also known as the Dutch Palace, is a Portuguese palace popularly known as the Dutch Palace, in Mattancherry, Kochi, in the Indian state of Kerala which features Kerala murals depicting Hindu temple art, portraits, and exhibits of the Rajas of Kochi. The palace was originally built by the Portuguese as a gift to King Veera Kerala Varma of Kochi dynasty in 1555 but underwent renovations by the Dutch in 1663, and since then it has been known as the Dutch Palace. The architecture of the palace is a unique combination of Kerala style with colonial European influences. The structure is quadrangular and built in Nalukettu style, a traditional Kerala architecture, with a courtyard in the middle. The palace houses a Bhagavathi Temple in the central courtyard. The interiors exhibit a fine display of royal regalia, murals, and artifacts belonging to the Kochi kingdom. The murals are especially significant, depicting scenes from the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Puranic legends in intricate detail.