The old Dutch castle known as Mattancherry Palace

Kochi's Mattancherry Palace

Of course! Allow me to give you a detailed overview of the Mattancherry Palace in Kochi, Kerala, India, also referred to as the Dutch Palace.. I will make it concise and easy to understand:

History & Architecture
The Mattancherry Palace, constructed about 1545, was originally a gift from the Portuguese Empire to the Kingdom of Cochin.
The palace was constructed by the Portuguese, not the Dutch, despite the name.
The palace's architecture incorporates the Nālukettu style, a classic Kerala design with a central courtyard.
European influences may be seen in architectural components such as arches and chamber proportions.

Kerala Murals and Art
The palace walls are covered with Kerala murals, which are complex paintings created in the manner of Hindu temple art.
These murals are religious, beautiful, and stylized, with rich warm colors applied using the tempera method.
Portraits of the Rajas of Cochin (from 1864 onwards) are placed in what was originally the Coronation Hall.
Local painters created these portraits in the Western style.
The hall's ceiling is adorned with exquisite flower motifs crafted from wood.

Other Exhibits
Aside from paintings and portraits, the palace includes other noteworthy artifacts:
An ivory palanquin.
Good day!
Royal umbrellas
Royal ceremonial dress.
Historical coins, stamps, and illustrations.
Restoration and UNESCO Recognition
In 1951, the palace was repaired and designated as a federal government protected monument.
The Archaeological Survey of India carried conducted a second repair from 2007 to 2009.
The Mattancherry Palace is on the UNESCO World Heritage List and might be included in the future.

Visiting Address:

Jew Town Road, Mattancherry, Kochi, Kerala 682002.
Hours of operation: 9:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.; 2:00 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. (closed on
Adult entry fees are INR 20, while children's fees are INR 10.
Best time to visit: November to February.
The Mattancherry Palace exemplifies Kerala's rich history and cultural legacy.

Certainly! Here's additional information about the Mattancherry Palace (also known as the Dutch Palace) in Kochi, Kerala:

History & Architecture
The Mattancherry Palace, erected in 1545 CE, was a gift from the Portuguese Empire to the Kingdom of Cochin.
The Portuguese, not the Dutch, constructed the palace despite its name.
It was constructed to satisfy the king after they pillaged a local temple.
The Kochi kings greeted Vasco da Gama, the Portuguese explorer, when he landed at Kappad in 1498.
The Portuguese were granted exclusive rights to build industries, and successfully repelled Zamoran incursions, thereby making the Cochin Rajas vassals of Portugal.

The Dutch eventually took over Mattancherry in 1663, followed by Hyder Ali and the British East India Company.

An architectural marvel
The palace features a central courtyard and is built in the Nālukettu style, a typical Kerala design.
The Nālukettu style incorporates European architecturalcharacteristics including arches and chamber proportions.
Kerala Murals and Art
Kerala murals are painted on the palace walls in the tradition of Hindu temple art.
These murals are religious, beautiful, and stylized, with rich warm colors applied using the tempera method.

Other Exhibits
The former Coronation Hall now houses portraits of the Cochin Rajas, who have ruled the region since 1864.

Local painters painted these portraits in the Western style.
The hall's ceiling is adorned with lovely floral designs in woodcraft.
Other displays include an ivory palanquin, a howdah, royal umbrellas, ceremonial attire, money, stamps, and paintings.
Restoration and UNESCO Recognition
In 1951, the palace was repaired and designated as a federal government protected monument.
The Archaeological Survey of India finished its second repair in 2009.
The Mattancherry Palace is a historical and cultural asset in Kochi.

Feel free to explore this architectural wonder electronically or in person! 🌴🏛️

Tell me more about the palace's murals

Of course! The Dutch Palace, popularly called the Mattancherry Palace, features beautiful paintings that highlight Kerala's rich artistic heritage and historical background. Here are the major details:
Kerala paintings: The paintings on the palace walls measure over 300 square meters.
These paintings, executed in the style of Hindu temple art, are holy, beautiful, and stylized.
They show incidents from the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and other Puranic stories in great detail.
The bright hues employed in the paintings produce a visually appealing impact.

Themes and subjects

include Lakshmi sitting on a lotus, Rama being crowned, Vishnu napping off, and Shiva and Parvati sitting beside goddesses like Ardhanariswara.
One stunning artwork depicts Krishna raising Mount Govardhana, a dramatic moment from Hindu mythology.
These paintings are attributed to Veera Kerala Verma's creative talents.

The well-preserved

Hindu paintings from the seventeenth century are characteristic of Kerala temple art.
They contain details about the royal family's lives, beliefs, and cultural manifestations.
Each mural conveys a tale, linking the past and present.
Visiting the Mattancherry Palace immerses you in a colorful tapestry of history and artistry. 🌴🎨🏛️