Perched atop serene hills in Kochi, the Hill Palace Museum is a proud testament to the opulence, history and rich cultural heritage of the land.  Located around 10kms from Kochi, its majestic presence in the midst of lush greenery evokes a sense of awe and invites visitors on a voyage through time. This architectural marvel unfolds a saga of royalty and legacy that offers a glimpse into the bygone era of the Maharajas of Kochi. Parikshith Thampuran was the last King of Kochi. He ruled the princely state for only a year before the merger of Cochin and Travancore in the year 1949. He was also the last king to have resided at the Hill Palace. 

Built in the year 1865, this majestic edifice was once the residence of the rulers of Kochi. A space that flaunted their refined tastes and extravagant lifestyle. Today the palace has been preserved as an Ethno-Archaeological Museum and Kerala's first-ever Heritage Museum with a treasure trove of artefacts and antiquities spanning centuries. Set in over 52 acres of terraced land, the palace complex comprises 49 buildings and has been constructed in the traditional Kerala style of architecture. 

The architecture of each building boasts a unique touch of Dutch architectural style as well. The oldest building here has been constructed in the Ettukettu style and hosts the heritage museum. Sculptures, manuscripts, belongings of the Kochi royal family, oil paintings, murals, the list of rare ancient objects found here is endless. Kudakkallu  (tombstone), Thoppikkallu (hood stone), laterite memorials and wooden memorials from ancient civilisations like the Indus Valley and Harappa and antique ceramics from the Far East can also be found here. Bejewelled with emeralds, diamonds and rubies, the crown of the kings of the Kochi dynasty which weighs 1.75kg can still be seen here at the museum.  

In the portrait gallery of the palace, the portraits of the kings can be seen alongside exquisite Tanjore paintings. The elegance, exquisite skill of the artists and the careful use of colours is a treat to the eye. The contemporary art gallery on the other hand showcases the art works and paintings of the legendary Raja Ravi Varma among others. The porcelain, manuscripts and epigraphy galleries here give valuable insights to visitors of bygone times. The porcelain gallery boasts over 150 objects that were once used in the royal households of yore. This includes Chinese dishes, cups, pots and other antique pieces. The epitaph gallery on the other hand has a collection of inscriptions on copper plates, palm leaves and stones. The coins of earlier times are on display at the numismatic gallery. 

The wood carvings gallery has objects that date back to the 14th century. They include megalithic remains, crowns, sculptures, ivory items, ornaments and inscriptions by several Rajas. There are also beautiful carvings of Nandikesan, the Nagaveena and Ganesha on a lotus that are a sight to behold. 

One of the most interesting sections at the museum is that of the Weapon Gallery and Sculpture Gallery. Here old weapons that have been collected from several different places have been well preserved. The stone sculptures found here date back to the 10th century while the rare silver and bronze objects found at the Metalware gallery here date back to the 14th century. 

The Hill Palace Museum even features a deer park, a children’s park and a prehistoric park that are sure to make the visit to the museum all the more entertaining for the young and old alike. A part of the surrounding palace grounds has been converted into a botanical garden that even has exotic tree species brought in from Central America and Australia. 

Visiting Hours: 09:00 A.M. to 12:30 P.M. & 02:00 P.M. to 04:30 P.M. on all days except Mondays.

Entrance Fee: Adult - Rs. 50/- Children (5-12) - Rs. 10/-

Children's Park: Open till 06.00 P.M.