Palaces in different lands symbolize a glorious past. These palaces reflect the life style of the people of yore. These palaces are part of our rich heritage
1. Padmanabhapuram Palace
The Padmanabhapuram Palace, a classic example of the Kerala style of architecture, is managed by the state archaeology department. It is situated 2 km away from Thuckalai town (in nearby Tamil Nadu state) on the Thiruvananthapuram-Kanyakumari road.
The former ruler of the erstwhile Travancore kingdom, Iravi Pillai Iravi Varma Kulasekhara Perumal, started the work of the palace in AD 1601. The structure was renovated by Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma in 1741, after the Battle of Colachel which he won against the Dutch.
The oldest structure in the complex is the “darbhakulangra kottaram” or “thaikottaram” built by the Ravi Varma Kulasekhara Perumal who ruled Venad from AD 1592 to AD 1610. The nalukettu-style structure has an “ekantha mandapam” (chamber of solitude). Kannithoonu, a pillar carved out of a single wood, has fine engravings.
2. Koyikkal Palace
Koyikkal Palace, situated at a distance of 18km from Kerala’s capital city of Thiruvananthapuram. The palace is a double-storey building, built in the conventional nalukettu architectural style of Kerala
It is a 17th century building, built as a residential palace for Umayamma Rani, the regent of Venad (Kingdom of Quilon), who ruled from the year 1677 to 1684. It was later converted into a museum complex housing several objects of historical importance.
3. Krishnapuram Palace
Located in the district of Alappuzha in Kerala, near the town of Kayamkulam, Krishnapuram Palace was built in the 18th century by Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma, the ruler of the former princely state of Travancore. He built it after Kayamkulam was conquered and made a part of Travancore. The palace is situated near the Sree Krishnaswamy Temple in the village of Krishnapuram
Krishnapuram Palace is built in the conventional architectural style of Kerala. It is built in the Pathinaru-kettu (16 blocks) style
A major attraction in the palace interior is the 9.8’ high mural depicting the story of Gajendra-moksham, a famous story from mythology in which Lord Vishnu comes down to the earth to save an elephant who is his ardent devotee.
A double-edged sword known as Kayamkulam Vaal, a Sanskrit Bible, bronze statues, an antique Buddha of the 10th century, stone inscriptions, megalithic specimens, Pancha-loha (a combination of five metals) figurines, magnificent oil lamps, and ceremonial utensils are some of the other exhibits here.
Kerala Administrative Service Mentorship Programme 