Hill Palace | Hill Palace Museum of Kerala at Ernakulam,

Hill Palace Museum of Kerala at Ernakulam,

Hill Palace is a museum and a heritage site located in Tripunithura, a suburb of Ernakulam city in Kerala, India. It was the official residence of the royal family of the Kingdom of Cochin, and is now one of the largest archaeological museums in Kerala.

The palace was built in the 19th century and spreads over an area of 54 acres. The architecture of the palace is a blend of traditional Kerala and colonial styles. It has 49 buildings, including the palace, a deer park, a prehistoric park, and a children's park. The palace complex also includes a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, which is believed to be around 1000 years old.

The Hill Palace Museum has a vast collection of artifacts, including paintings, sculptures, weapons, coins, and manuscripts. The museum displays the belongings of the royal family, such as the throne and the crown, and also exhibits antique furniture, ceramics, and other household items. There is a separate section dedicated to the traditional musical instruments of Kerala.

The museum also has an archaeological museum, which houses ancient artifacts from different parts of Kerala. The prehistoric park, located within the palace compound, has models of prehistoric burial urns, dolmens, and menhirs. The deer park is home to various species of deer, and the children's park has a play area and a mini zoo.

Hill Palace is open to visitors from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm on all days except Mondays and national holidays. Entry fee for adults is INR 30 and for children, it is INR 10. Photography is allowed inside the museum, but not in certain areas, which are clearly marked.

There are many interesting things to see at the Hill Palace Museum in Kerala. Here are some of the highlights:

The palace itself: The main palace building is a beautiful example of traditional Kerala architecture, with sloping roofs and wooden beams. It's worth taking a stroll around the palace grounds to see the different buildings and gardens.

The royal artifacts: The museum displays many of the personal belongings of the royal family, including their throne, crowns, and other regalia. There are also rooms furnished in the traditional style, with antique furniture and decor.

The archaeological museum: The museum has a section dedicated to ancient artifacts from different parts of Kerala. This includes items from the Stone Age, as well as bronze and iron objects.

The prehistoric park: The park has models of prehistoric burial urns, dolmens, and menhirs. This is a great way to learn about the history of the region.

The traditional musical instruments: There is a section of the museum dedicated to the traditional musical instruments of Kerala. You can see and even play some of these instruments.

The deer park: The deer park is a peaceful spot where you can observe different species of deer. There are also other animals and birds in the park.

Overall, the Hill Palace Museum is a fascinating place to visit if you're interested in history, art, and culture.