History of Hill Palace Museum Thripunithura
Hill Palace is one of the most iconic landmarks in Ernakulam. Located in the city of Thripunithura near Kochi, it is an architectural marvel that was built in 1865. The palace was the official residence of the Maharaja of Kochi and his family for many years.
Today, Hill Palace has been transformed into a museum that showcases a variety of artifacts from the royal family’s past. It is also home to a large collection of rare manuscripts, coins, and other artifacts from Kerala’s rich cultural heritage. Visitors can explore this majestic palace and its grounds to get a glimpse into the lives of royalty from centuries ago.
Built by the King of Kochi in 1865, the Tripunithura Hill Palace served as the administrative center of the Kings of Kochi. Consisting of 49 vernacular buildings spread across 52 acres of land, this palace houses an Archaeological Museum, Heritage Museum, Deer Park, Prehistoric Park, and Children’s Park. Ammathamburan Kovikalam and Ootu Pura, as well as the Dutch-built Lekkota Palace and Manimalika, attract visitors. The deer park houses 230 deer and 25 mallows.
The palace complex is surrounded by roads and a large garden full of wild trees, and its construction method is a combination of ancient Kerala architecture and foreign style. The 52-acre terraced garden adds to the beauty of the museum, with many medicinal plants around the palace. Hill Palace is located 14 km away from Kochi, and a Heritage Study Center under the Department of Culture is also functioning there.
In 1980, the Kochi royal family handed the Hill Palace over to the Kerala government. It was opened to the public as Kerala’s first heritage museum in 1991 and currently has 11 galleries. The museum holds objects used by the Maharaja of Kochi and the royal family, such as ancient stone plaques, sculptures, and coins.
Oil paintings, murals, sculptures, palm fronds, and valuables of the Maharajas of Kochi, as well as royal thrones, are displayed here, reminiscent of the old days. Ancient ceramic works that arrived centuries ago from East Asia, milestone stones in Kerala’s anthropological history such as kudakall, cap stone, memory pillars made of cut stone, wooden objects that are remnants of old culture, and examples of the remains of the Indus Valley and Harappan culture can be found here. Additionally, there is a gallery of modern artworks.
Entry Fees
Visitors are admitted on all days except Monday.
The entry fee for adults is Rs. 35,
for children (7-12) it is Rs. 10.
Car parking costs Rs. 30, and two-wheelers cost Rs. 10.
How to reach Hil Palace Museum
Air
The international airport is located in Nedumbassery, near Aluva, approximately 22 kilometers away from Ernakulam, Kochi
Rail
The nearest railway station to Thripunithura is Ernakulam Junction, which is about 12km away. Ernakulam Town is the other railway station in Kochi. Trains from the Northern cities and Southern parts of India stop at Ernakulam Junction, which is located at D.H. Rd, Ernakulam South.
Road
The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) Central Bus Station is located near the Ernakulam Junction railway station. It operates express and fast services from Ernakulam to other major cities within Kerala and to neighbouring states. Reciprocal services from other states are also available. There are plenty of private buses available for travel from Ernakulam to other cities. They operate from High Court Junction, Railway Station and Kaloor Junction.