Mattancherry

Mattancherry palace is located about 10 kms from Ernakulam. It was built by the Portuguese in 1557 and presented to Raja Veera Kerala Varma of Kochi. The Dutch renovated the Palace in 1663 and thereafter it was popularly called Dutch Palace. The palace has a Bhagavathi temple in the central courtyard and is built like the Kerala style mansion, the Nalukettu. The double storey palace building has an exquisite collection of murals collectively covering over 300 sqft of its walls. The themes of these murals are from the great Indian epics - the Ramayana and the Mahabharatha, and mythology and legends about the Hindu gods especially Guruvayurappan. Some murals depict scenes from Kumarasambhavam and other works of the great Sanskrit poet Kalidasa. Traditional flooring which is unique in all aspects is sighted here. It is made of burned coconut shells, lime, plant juices and egg-whites, but many mistook it as polished single piece of black marble. It is said, such flooring techniques were employed only in  Kerala and nowhere else in the world. After renovation the Palace was presented to the  Kerala Varma Maharaja, the then ruler of  Cochin, by the Dutch. Maharaja used it as the Royal House and Coronations used to be held here. Numerous brass cups decor the Dining Hall ceiling. The ceiling of Assembly Hall is different from other ceilings but looks ornamental. Also on display at the palace are weapons, swings and furniture, which offer a glimpse of the lifestyle of the royal family.

Road: There are frequent buses to Mattancherry.

Waterway: There are frequent boat services and the boats start from Main Boat Jetty near Subhash Park at Ernakulam town.

Railway Station: Ernakulam, about 10 kms

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