Mattancherry Palace (Dutch Palace)

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Sight Address : Mattancherry Palace (Dutch Palace) is located at Mattancherry, 10 km from Ernakulam, kerala. Edit

Detail InformationEdit

Mattancherry Palace (Dutch Palace) is one of the oldest examples of the Portuguese architecture with oriental influence and is unique from the historical and architectural point of view. The palace was built around 1545 AD by the Portuguese and presented to Veera Kerala Varma in order to pacify him and to compensate for having plundered a temple in the vicinity of the place. It underwent major repairs at the hands of Dutch and hence the palace is also known as “Dutch Palace.” This two-storied quadrangular building has long and spacious halls. The central courtyard enshrines the tutelary deity of the royal family “Pazhayannur Bhagavathi (the Lord of Pazhayannur)”. There are two more temples dedicated to Lord Krishna and Shiva respectively. The upper story of the palace where the present museum is housed consists of a coronation hall, bed chamber, ladies chamber, dining hall and other rooms. The palace represents the blending of the European and indigenous styles of architecture.

Mattancherry Palace (Dutch Palace)

HistoryEdit

Mattancherry Palace (Dutch Palace) was built to appease the king after they plundered a temple nearby. The Dutch carried out some extensions and renovations in the palace in 1663, and thereafter it was popularly called Dutch Palace. The rajas also made more improvements to it. Today, it is a portrait gallery of the Cochin Rajas and notable for some of the best mythological murals in India, which are in the best traditions of Hindu temple art. The landing of Vasco da Gama, the Portuguese explorer at Kappad in 1498 was welcomed by the Kochi rulers. They were given exclusive right to construct factories. The Portuguese repulsed the repeated attacks of the Zamorins and the Cochin Rajas practically became vassals of the Portuguese. The influence of the Portuguese were supplanted by the Dutch and they took over Mattancherry in 1663.[1] Subsequently, the area was taken over by Hyder Ali and still later by the British East India Company.Built by the Portuguese in 1557 and presented to Raja Veera Kerala Varma of Kochi, the Palace was renovated in 1663 by the Dutch. The palace with a Bhagavathi temple in the central courtyard is built like the typical Kerala style mansion – the Nalukettu – the home of the aristocracy, nobility and upper classes, with four separate wings opening out to a central courtyard.

Must SeeEdit

Must see

Visiting TimeEdit

10:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Closed OnEdit

Friday

Best Season to VisitEdit

September to May.

Best Time To VisitEdit

Morning, Afternoon.

Time Required for SightseeingEdit

1 to 3 Hours.

Ticket Required : Yes Edit

Individual National Adult Rs. : Rs. 2/-

Kids Rs. : free(Children up to 15 years free)

Individual Foreigner Adult Rs. : Rs. 2/-

Kids Rs. : free(Children up to 15 years free)

Still Photo Camera Rs. : N.A.

Video Camera Rs. : N.A.

Guide Required : No Edit

Approximate cost: N.A.

Dress Code (If Any) : No Edit

Dress Require: 0

Restaurants NearbyAdd / Edit

Flavors Unlimited – Kochi ; Above Run 4 U Super Market, Vazhakkala, Vazhakkala, Ernakulam – 682030 ; Ph/M – (91)-9400722222 | 9745864777 | 4035670 ;Food Serve – N.A.

How to ReachEdit

Taxi : After reaching Cochin, you can hire a cab, taxi, bus or auto-rickshaw to reach here.

BUS : There are frequent bus to Mattancherry.

Train : Nearest railway station: Ernakulam, about 10 km

Air : Nearest airport: Cochin International Airport, about 20 km from Ernakulam town.

Others : Autorickshaw : This is a cheap method of transport between attractions. You can find an auto stand at almost every bus stop, and at important places near junctions and residential areas. Make sure you agree on a fare with the driver before the journey. The govt fixed rates starts at Rs 10 for the first 1.25 km and Rs 6 per km thereafter with a premium of 15% at night (7PM-6AM).
Ferry – There are frequent boat services to Mattancherry.The boats start from main Boat Jetty near Subash Park at Ernakulam town.

Things to CarryEdit

Carrying camera , water, sunscreen, and Loose light weight cloths.

Safety / WarningEdit

Kochi is infamous for mosquitoes, due to presence of large water bodies across the city. Make sure any room you book, has mosquito repellents or at least a mosquito net. Its always better to have any anti-mosquito creams or spice oil extracts like lemongrass oil to ward off mosquito bites.
Public smoking bans are strictly enforced in the city more so than in other regions. The High Court of Kerala has decreed a public smoking ban across the state. Smoking on the roadside, in shopping complexes, restaurants, and parks is illegal and police can charge Rs 500-1,000 for breaches.