Visiting historical sites can be an amazing experience. You get to learn about how kings ruled their kingdoms and see the impressive buildings and forts they constructed to protect their people. You also get a peek into their way of life and the ups and downs of their kingdoms during battles.
I have already written about some important historical sites in Kanyakumari district, like Padmanabhapuram Palace, Vattakottai Fort, Udayagiri Fort, and Chitharal Rock Jain Temple. In this article, I’ll take you to another interesting destination: the Napier Museum. It’s located in Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala, which is a neighboring district of Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu.
Thiruvananthapuram (also known as Trivandrum) is the biggest city and the capital of Kerala, and right in the center of the city, you’ll discover the Napier Museum. It’s conveniently located just 3.2 kilometers from the Thiruvananthapuram bus stand, approximately 3.1 kilometers from the Thiruvananthapuram railway station, and about 5.6 kilometers from the Thiruvananthapuram international airport.
The Napier Museum was built in 1855 and made accessible to the public in 1880 by Maharaja Ayilyam Thirunal Rama Varma, who ruled Travancore. This museum is renowned for its impressive architecture. Inside, you’ll find a treasure trove of items like bronze idols, historical artifacts, stone sculptures of Hindu gods, ancient coins, intricate ivory carvings, musical instruments, paintings, ornaments, and much more.
The walls of this impressive building are constructed from fired bricks, and large stone bricks are used for the corners. Its charm is enhanced by the distinctive and captivating paintwork. The structure boasts four towers, three spacious halls, and is designed to provide natural ventilation.
Entry Ticket Fee
The ticket counter is located on the left side of the building, and there’s a small entry fee for visitors:
- Indian adults: ₹20.
2. Foreign adults: ₹200.
3. Indian children: ₹10.
4. Foreign children: ₹100.
5. Indian family (father, mother, and two children below 12 years): ₹40.
6. Group (35 students & 2 teachers): ₹200 (if the students are below 15 years, it’s ₹150).
Timings
The Napier Museum welcomes visitors from 10:00 AM to 4:45 PM, with the last ticket issued at 4:30 PM. Please note that on Wednesdays, cleaning takes place from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM, and entry for visitors begins at 1:00 PM on that day.
Alright, let’s take a look at what you’ll find inside the Napier Museum. As soon as you enter, right in front of you, you’ll come across a historical sword that belonged to Velu Thampi Dhalawa. He served as the prime minister of the former kingdom of Travancore from 1802 to 1809.
Then, on the left side, you can observe numerous historical sculptures showcased in display cabinets.
Upon entering the left hall, you’ll find a collection of stone and wooden sculptures.
The Napier Museum has a lot more ancient artifacts to discover, and it usually takes about 2 hours to explore everything. It’s quite popular, drawing many visitors every day, including international tourists.
After your visit to the museum, you can check out the Sree Chithra Enclave, which is just a short walk away. You don’t need a separate entry ticket; your Napier Museum ticket allows you to visit it as well.
Next to the Sree Chithra Enclave, you’ll find a fish aquarium, a natural history museum, and the Thiruvananthapuram Zoo, which are all worth exploring. Please note that these attractions have their own separate entry tickets.
There is ample car parking space available for visitors, and the parking fee is ₹150.
There’s a canteen located near the Sree Chithra Enclave where you can savor Kerala snacks, tea, and juices.
In Thiruvananthapuram, there are several museums that offer a journey into the past, unveiling lesser-known facts. Here’s a list of some of them:
- Kuthira Maliga Palace.
- Natural History Museum.
- Sunil’s Wax Museum.
- Space Museum.
- Priyadarshini Planetarium
Nearest tourist places
- Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple- 4 Km.
2. Attukal Bhagavathy Temple- 5.9 Km.
3. Vizhinjam Light House- 14.2 Km.
4. Kovalam Beach- 17.7 Km.
5. Poovar Island- 32.9 Km.
6. Varkala Beach- 48 Km.
Hotels Near to Napier Museum
- Down Town Holidays Hotel- 300 Meters away.
- Treebo Trend Nandanam Park Hotel- 440 Meters away.
- Hotel Prasanth- 660 Meters away.
- Stayzone Royal Inn Hotel- 1.6 KM away.
- Casa in Luxury suites Hotel- 1.7 KM away.
- Saras Park Inn Hotel- 1.9 KM away.
- Hotel Town Tower- 1.6 KM away.
- Vbee Plaza Trivandrum hotel- 1 KM away.
Thiruvananthapuram also boasts numerous resorts for those seeking scenic views and engaging activities. Resorts offer more amenities than hotels, making your stay even more enjoyable.
