Kerala - South India and Kerala - page 618

Mattancherry

Top Sights

1 Mattancherry Palace B2

2 Pardesi Synagogue B2

Sleeping

3 Caza Maria B2

Eating

4 Café Jew Town B2

Caza Maria (see 3)

5 Ginger House B2

6 Ramathula Hotel A1

7 Shri Krishna A2

Shopping

8 Niraamaya B2

Mattancherry Palace
MAP GOOGLE MAP
(Dutch Palace; 2226085; Palace Rd; adult/child ?5/free; 9am-5pm Sat-Thu) Mattancherry Palace was
a generous gift presented to the Raja of Kochi, Veera Kerala Varma (1537-61), as a ges-
ture of goodwill by the Portuguese in 1555. More probably, it was used as a sweetener to
securing trading privileges. The Dutch renovated the palace in 1663, hence its alternative
name, the Dutch Palace.
The star attractions here are the astonishingly preserved Hindu murals , depicting scenes
from the Ramayana , Mahabharata and Puranic legends in intricate detail. The central hall
on the 1st floor is now a portrait gallery of maharajas from 1864. There's an impressive
collection of palanquins (hand-carried carriages), bejewelled outfits and splendidly carved
ceilings in every room. Information panels detail the history of the Kochi royal dynasty.
Photography is prohibited.

MUSEUM

Pardesi Synagogue

SYNAGOGUE