Category: Forts & Palaces
The Mattancherry Palace, also known as Dutch Palace, is one of the finest examples of the Kerala style of architecture interspersed with colonial influences. Located at around 12 km from Ernakulam, it was built around 1545 C.E. by the Portuguese as a present to King Veera Kerala Verma of Kochi dynasty. It came to be […]
The ‘Gajendra Moksham’ is a massive mural depicting an elephant saluting Lord Vishnu as the other Gods, Goddesses and sages look on in reverence. At 49 sq m, this largest single mural band of its kind ever found in Kerala, greets all who visit Krishnapuram Palace. It is said that Lord Vishnu was the chief […]
Kilimanoor Palace honours one among the finest artists to ever grace the shores of Kerala, Raja Ravi Varma. His paintings have invited intrigue and recognition from the entire world. Born as royalty in the halls of Kilimanoor Palace, today his work is hailed by contemporary artists and scholars in the field. Located in Thiruvananthapuram district, […]
Fort Immanuel at Fort Kochi was a bastion of the Portuguese in Kochi. It was a symbol of the strategic alliance between the Maharajah of Kochi and the Monarch of Portugal, after whom it was named. Built in 1503, the fort was reinforced in 1538. By 1806 the Dutch, and later the British, had destroyed most […]
The Koyikkal Palace was built for Umayamma Rani of the Venad Royal Family between 1677 and 1684. Today, however, it is famous as a Folklore Museum and a Numismatics Museum. Its unique antique collection provides one with valuable insight into the past of Kerala and it attracts people from across the State on a regular […]
In the hilly reaches of Kasaragod district, people are used to seeing impressive forts at almost every turn, built both as military bastions and important centres for commercial and cultural activities. In Kanhangad lies the Hosdurg Fort, among the legendary chain of forts built by Somashekara Nayak of Ikkeri Dynasty. Lying nearby is the internationally […]
Kasaragod boasts of the largest and best preserved Fort in the whole of Kerala, bordered by a magnificent beach. Shaped like a giant keyhole, the historic Bekal Fort was built in the 17th century. This historic monument offers a superb view of the Arabian Sea from its tall observation towers, which were occupied by gigantic […]
Seeped in history, the Chandragiri Fort in Kasaragod lies at the confluence of the Payaswini River and the Arabian Sea. This 17th century fort was built by Sivappa Naik of Bedanore. Situated atop hill ruins. People come here to watch the sunset from the ancient Kizhur Siva Temple at Chandragiri. While the nearby Bekal Fort […]
Built in the Indo-European style way back in 1667, the Bastion Bungalow gets its name from its location on the site of the Stromberg Bastion of the old Dutch fort. The bungalow is situated on River Road in Fort Kochi, Ernakulam. The building blends beautifully into the circular structure of the bastion, has a tiled […]
Anjengo Fort is forever remembered in the pantheons of history as the location of the first trade settlement of the East India Company in Kerala. Legend has it that the English were given this site by the Queen of Attingal for trade purposes. Anjengo or Anjuthenguwas a small stretch of land with five coconut trees […]