Monuments
in Kerala - Travel back in time to the
rich palaces of the Kings and tranquil monuments. Wander around enchanting fort
and palaces, a unique travel experience.
 Jewish
Synagogue
The
Jewish Synagogue in Kochi was built in 1568 AD. Located at Mattancherry, the Synanogue
still has the scrolls of Old Testament and a number of copper plates inscribed
in the Hebrew script are preserved in this Synagogue. This synagogue stands out
as a testimony of communal harmony in the state for centuries. 
It's the oldest
Synagogue in the common wealth countries , which
recorded the grants of privilege, bequeathed by the Kochi rulers.
Rebuilt
by Dutch after having been partially destroyed in
the war of 1662 AD, the exquisite hand painted blue
Chinese tiles offer an interesting sight. In mid-18th
century, the clock tower was added.
Not
one of the nearly two hundred year old tiles resembles another. There are several
finely wrought gold and silver crowns gifted to the synanogue by the various patrons.
Timings
:
The Synagogue is open from 10 am to 12 noon and 3 pm to 5 pm on all
days except Saturdays and Jewish holidays.
Padmanabhapuram
Palace
The
Padmanabhapuram Palace , situated 54 kms from Thiruvananthapuram, in the neighbouring
state of Tamilnadu is the magnificent wooden palace, of the 16th century Travancore
rulers.
An
enticing place for any lover of art and architecture, the antique interiors of
the palace are replete with intricate rosewood carvings and sculptured décor.
The visitor is often overwhelmed by the royal splendour of erstwhile Travancore.
Travancore,
which was a princely state for over 400 years, included a large part of present-day
Kerala and the western part of Tamil Nadu. Though the palace is now in the State
of Tamil Nadu, it was once the traditional home of the royal family of Travancore,
so it is maintained by the Government of Kerala.
The
palace is one of the best examples of the traditional wooden architecture of Kerala.
The Padmanabhapuram Palace is a well-preserved wooden palace, a glorious testimony
to the traditional architecture of Kerala.
The
extraordinary Murals, exquisite floral carvings and the black glossy granite floor
have withstood the test of time. Some fascinating 18th century Murals can be seen
in the puja room on the upper floors of this palace.
How
to reach :
Either take local buses and or avail of the Kanyakumari tours
organised by KTDC.
Bastion
Bungalow
Built
in the Indo-European style way back in 1667 AD by the Potuguese,Bastion Bungalowof Ernakulam get its name from its location on the site of the Stromberg Bastion
of the old, Dutch fort. The building blends beautifully into the circular structure
of the bastion, has a tiled roof and typical first floor verandah in wood, along
its front portion.
Though it has been said that a network of secret tunnels runs beneath the bungalow,
none has been found till now. Today, the bungalow is the official residence of
the Sub-Collector.
Location
:
Ernakulam, Kerala
Bolghatty
Palace
A Scenic island near the city of Ernakulam, Bolghatty is famous for the Bolghatty
Palace built by the Dutch in 1744 AD. This palace was once a Governor's palace
for the Dutch and later the home of the British Governors that has now been converted
into a KTDC (Kerala Tourism
Development Corporation) hotel.
Bolghatty
Palace is on an island, off Cochin in the Arabian Sea. The building was once a
Governor's palace for the Dutch and later the home of the British Governors.
The
palace is two-storeyed and contains well-decorated bed chambers, a huge lounge
wherein historical portraits are displayed. The ferry ride from the mainland Ernakulam
to the island is a pleasurable experience. There is a golf course to boot.
Hill
Palace
Located
at a distance of 10 kilometers from Kochi, Hill Palace, the official residence
of the Kochi royal family was built in 1865. Consisting of 49 buildings, the palace
is built in the Traditional Architectural Style of Kerala and is surrounded by
52 acres of terraced land.
All
sorts of flora of Kerala including rare medicinal plants are found here. A full-fledged
ethno-archaeological Museum and Kerala's first ever Heritage Museum are the major
attractions.
Exhibited
inside the thirteen galleries are oil paintings, 19th century paintings, murals,
sculptures in stone and plaster of Paris, manuscripts, inscriptions, coins, belongings
of the Kochi royal family, Paliathachan's gallery and royal furniture including
the 'simhasana' (the throne or the king's chair).
There
are on display 200 antique pieces of pottery and ceramic vases from China and
Japan, Kudalkall, tomb stone 'thoppikkallu', hood stone 'menhirs' in granite and
Literate memorials, rock cut caves belonging to the early iron, age wooden temple
models. 
There
is an amazing array of plaster cast models of objects from Mohanjodaro and Harappa
of the Indus Valley civilization of North India. The upper story houses a gallery
of contemporary art.
The
huge area over which the museum is spread provides the facilities for other recreation
activities as well. The huge expanse of land that surrounds the royal palace has
a Deer Park and has facilities for horse riding also.
Timings
:
The museum is open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm on all days except Mondays.
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