Varkala

Kilimanoor Palace

Kilimanoor palace, the royal house at Kilimanoor has a history that stretches back to some 300 years. Though the palace complex has some older buildings that were constructed much earlier the palace was finished in the present form in the year 1753.  The palace is renowned as the birth place of the celebrated Indian painter Raja Ravi Varma. 

Architecture
The Palace complex is mostly constructed in the traditional residential structures of Kerala similar to that of the Nalukettu. It covers more than six hectares, and also comprises small and medium sized buildings, two ponds, wells and sacred groves (kaavu). The construction of some of the buildings is attributed to Raja Ravi Varma who is said to have built and maintained them from the proceeds of his paintings. Families related to the Travancore royal house continue to live here.

Famous Personalities from Kilimanoor Palace :

• Raja Ravi Varma, Famous Painter
• Kareendran thampuran, Poet, Composer, Childhood friend of Swathi Thirunal
• Raja Raja Varma, Uncle of Raja Ravi Varma.
• C. Raja Raja Varma Koil Thampuran, Painter, Brother of Raja Ravi Varma

Other Important Towns

Chirayinkeezhu