Dutch Palace Museum

Dutch Palace also known as Mattancherry Palace is a museum located in Mattancherry in Cochin City of Kerala India . Museum exhibits murals of temples , various portraits of Kings of Cochin State of ancient times . Palace is built in Nalukettu style traditiona architectural style of Kerala in quadrangular structure with a courtyard at the center of the palace . Portraits of Rajas of Cochin from 1864 onwards are been on display in Coronation hall and the walls are painted by local artists in western style . The floors glorifies the beautiful floral designs on the wood .

Dining Hall has carved wooden ornate ceiling decorated with a series of brass cups. The palace also contains rare examples of traditional Kerala flooring, which looks like polished black marble but is actually a mixture of burned coconut shells, charcoal, lime, plant juices and egg whites.

Historic Importance of Mattancherry Palace

Palace was built by Portuguese and was presented to the Veera Kerala Varma (1537–65), Raja of Kochi, in 1555 AD. In 1663 the Dutch in Kerala renovated the palace and since then it is also called as Dutch Palace . Portuguese arrivals was started when the legendary explorer Vasco Da Gama Landed on the Indian Land in Kappad in 1498 and was welcomed by the Kings of Cochin . Kings of Cochin allowed them to establish industries and factories here . The Zamorians at this were unhappy and raged war against them . Finally the Portuguese were invaded by the Dutch and they took control over here and the palace . Later the place was under British East India Company.

Dutch Mattancherry Palace Map

How to Reach Dutch Palace

By Air – Cochin International Airport is the nearest airport from here about 42 Km away . Cochin Airport is a major airport in India and is visited by several flights and domestic flights also.

By Train – Ernakulam Junction is the major railhead near to it about 11 Km away from here . Ernakulam is connected well to other cities of Kerala and other states of India.

By Road – It is about 9 km from Ernakulam town. There are frequent bus and boat services to Mattancherry from Ernakulam town. The boats start from Main Boat Jetty near Subash Park at Ernakulam.