Enchanting Kerala

KERALA TOURISM NEWSLETTER

Napier Museum – A Sneak-Peek into Forgone Days

In the heart of the bustling capital city stands majestically an ancient edifice reflecting the legacy of the Travancore Dynasty. With its long corridors, artistically tinted walls and broad adornments, the Napier Museum inspires awe in everyone that enters into this charming structure. 

The Museum built by Ayilyam Thirunal Maharaja in 1880 CE is named after Lord Napier, the former Governor General of Madras. The present Museum was built after demolishing the old one built by Uthram Thirunal, the then King of Travancore in 1857 CE since it was not large enough to display the rich collection of exhibits. 

The Napier Museum is truly a marvel that will take you to the times of Kings and Kingdoms as you stroll through its corridors. Mughal, Italian, Chinese and the indigenous Kerala architectural styles have merged in perfect proportion to give life to this antique building. 

Embracing history and cultural legacy in every nook and corner, the Napier Museum houses more than 550 artifacts of historical significance. When you enter the building, the Sword of Veluthambi Dalawa, one of the first martyrs of the Indian Freedom struggle welcomes you. There are many more bronze, wood and stone sculptures and ivory carvings which allure your attention. 

While you are inside the Museum, never forget to take a look at the gabled roof and get stunned by its phenomenal designs and artistic brilliance. The gothic roof, minarets, and hand-painted frescoes all carry you to a world of fantasy. 

The natural air conditioning effect and the stained windows that narrate colourful tales as the sun kisses it with its morning rays are some of the unique experiences that will surround you here. 

The Museum holds an exclusive collection of coins, musical instruments, wide varieties of lamps and so forth. Yet other fascinating pieces are the wooden model of the Guruvayoor Temple, the renowned pilgrim centre of North Kerala and the majestic Temple Car. 

The Napier Museum which functions under the aegis of the Department of Museum and Zoos has now made use a new mobile application and web portal to offer visitors experience par international standards. 

The app, Napier Museum, provides visitors with all information regarding the museum such as its history, details of artifacts, timings and so forth. The main feature of the app is its ‘Live Guide’. With the help of a Bluetooth-low-energy-device-beacon the app helps the visitor to identify the artifact and provides them with its details along with the audio. 

Visit Napier Museum Website