Hill Palace & Archaeological Museum

This Palace is located at Thripunithura, about 12-km from Ernakulam. The Place is a high-volt heritage piece worth seeing. Once it was the summer retreat of the Kochi Rajas.

The Palace is now a museum, the largest archaeological museum in Kerala. Different types of sculptures, collection of rare coins, old weapons, manuscripts in ancient syllable and collections from the Kochi royal family exhibited here. One of the museum's finest exhibits is an early seventeenth century wooden mandapa removed from a temple, featuring intricate carvings of themes from Ramayana.

Of interets are the silver filgree jewel boxes, gold and silver ornaments and ritual objects associated with grand ceremonies. The bronze gallery features a knife with decorative bell, which belie the fact it was used for beheading and a body shaped cage in which the condemned prisoners would be hanged while birds of prey pecked them to death.

There is a deer park too inside the premises.

The visiting time is 9 am to 12.30 pm and 2 to 4.30 pm. Monday is closed.

Thripunithura

Thripunithura is a small town. The temple festivals in Kerala beginning in December and ending in May is heralded by the festival at Poornathrayesa temple here. This temple is also famous for 10-day Athachamayam festival on the eve of Onam. This festival signals the arrival of Onam. The 10-day event includes vivid cultural programmes every day. The Kochi kings used to attend the festival with their families every year.

The houses of erstwhile kings are still extant in Thripunithura’s Fort area.

• Visitors Attractions in Ernakulam