Cochin Monuments

Mattancherry Palace

  • Built in : 1555 A.D.
  • Built by : The Portuguese
  • Location : Ernakulam, Kerala

Built in oriental style, Mattancherry Palace, situated in Ernakulam district of Kerala was originally built by the Portuguese and presented to the king of Cochin, Veera Kerala Varma, in the year 1555 AD. It was later taken over by the Dutch who improved it through extensions and repairs in 1663 AD.

Since then it came to be called the Dutch Palace, though at no time did the Portugese nor the Dutch stayed there. One of the oldest buildings in Kerala, the Mattancherry Palace is a portrait gallery of the kings of Cochin.

In the centre of the building, is the Coronation Hall where the Cochin Rajas held their coronations. Adjacent rooms contain 17th century Murals depicting scenes from the great Indian epic, the Ramayana. On display in the palace are the dresses, turbans, weapons and palanquins from that era.

The palace is a double-storeyed quadrangular building that surrounds a central courtyard containing a Hindu Temple, enshrining the royal deity, Palayannur Bhagavati. Two more temples are situated on either side of the Palace dedicated to Lord Krishna & Lord Siva respectively.

Bolghatty Palace

  • Built in : 1744 AD
  • Built by : The Dutch
  • Location : Cochin

A Scenic island near the city of Ernakulam, Bolghatty is famous for the Bolghatty Palace built by the Dutch in 1744 AD. This palace, once the residence of the British resident of Kochi, is now 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.

Vasco House

  • Built in : 16th century
  • Built by :
  • Location : Ernakulam, Kerala

Believed to have been the residence of Vasco da Gama, this is one of the oldest Portuguese residences in this city.

Built in the early 16th century Vasco House sports the typical European glass paned windows and Balcony cum Verandas characteristic of the times.