The palace on the hill
The Hill Palace used to be the residence of the Maharaja of the erstwhile State of Cochin from the late 19th century to the mid 20th century. The palace stands on a small hill surrounded by terraced gardens, fountains, ponds and lawns. The Department Of Archaeology took over it in 1980 and converted into a Museum in 1984. The Palium gallery, donated by Paliyathachan’s family, was opened in 1991, the Heritage Museum in 1995 and the Crown and Jewellery section in 2001. In 1992, a deer park was added to the attractions.
Currently, there are 18 galleries. The palace complex has 49 buildings built in the traditional Kerala architectural style and encompasses over 52 acres of land. The oldest building here was constructed around 1850 A.D.. There is a single-storeyed Ettukettu, with a central courtyard and facing rooms, a pond nearby, a temple and an urappura. All the other buildings are a combination of traditional and western architecture.
In the Archaeological museum you’ll find oil-paintings, murals, stone sculptures, manuscripts, inscriptions, coins, royal furniture including the simhasana (throne). There are more than 200 antique pieces of pottery and ceramic vases from Japan and China, Kudakkallu (tomb stone), menhirs, granite, laterite memorials, rock-cut weapons from the stone ages, wooden temple models, Thoppikkallu (hood stone), plaster cast models of objects from Mohenjodaro and Harappa of the Indus Valley Civilisation. Contemporary art, too, finds a place in the museum.
The palace is about 12km from the city and is accessible by taxis and frequent buses. It is closed on Mondays and national holidays. A nominal ticket is charged on entry.
The palace and museum is worth a visit, especially for people interested in history.
