Monuments in Kerala
 
Travel back in time to the rich palaces of the Kings and tranquil monuments. Wander around enchanting fort and palaces, a unique travel experience.
 
Jewish Synagogue
The Jewish Synagogue in Kochi was built in 1568 AD. Located at Mattancherry, the Synanogue still has the scrolls of Old Testament and a number of copper plates inscribed in the Hebrew script are preserved in this Synagogue. This synagogue stands out as a testimony of communal harmony in the state for centuries.
 
It's the oldest Synagogue in the common wealth countries , which recorded the grants of privilege, bequeathed by the Kochi rulers.
Rebuilt by Dutch after having been partially destroyed in the war of 1662 AD, the exquisite hand painted blue Chinese tiles offer an interesting sight. In mid-18th century, the clock tower was added.
Not one of the nearly two hundred year old tiles resembles another. There are several finely wrought gold and silver crowns gifted to the synanogue by the various patrons.
Timings :
The Synagogue is open from 10 am to 12 noon and 3 pm to 5 pm on all days except Saturdays and Jewish holidays
 
Padmanabhapuram Palace
The Padmanabhapuram Palace , situated 54 kms from Thiruvananthapuram, in the neighbouring state of Tamilnadu is the magnificent wooden palace, of the 16th century Travancore rulers.
An enticing place for any lover of art and architecture, the antique interiors of the palace are replete with intricate rosewood carvings and sculptured décor. The visitor is often overwhelmed by the royal splendour of erstwhile Travancore.
Travancore, which was a princely state for over 400 years, included a large part of present-day Kerala and the western part of Tamil Nadu. Though the palace is now in the State of Tamil Nadu, it was once the traditional home of the royal family of Travancore, so it is maintained by the Government of Kerala.
The palace is one of the best examples of the traditional wooden architecture of Kerala. The Padmanabhapuram Palace is a well-preserved wooden palace, a glorious testimony to the traditional architecture of Kerala.
The extraordinary Murals, exquisite floral carvings and the black glossy granite floor have withstood the test of time. Some fascinating 18th century Murals can be seen in the puja room on the upper floors of this palace.
 
Bastion Bungalow
Built in the Indo-European style way back in 1667 AD by the Potuguese, Bastion Bungalow of Ernakulam get its name from its location on the site of the Stromberg Bastion of the old, Dutch fort. The building blends beautifully into the circular structure of the bastion, has a tiled roof and typical first floor verandah in wood, along its front portion.
Though it has been said that a network of secret tunnels runs beneath the bungalow, none has been found till now. Today, the bungalow is the official residence of the Sub-Collector.
Location :
Ernakulam, Kerala
 
Bolghatty Palace
A Scenic island near the city of Ernakulam, Bolghatty is famous for the Bolghatty Palace built by the Dutch in 1744 AD. This palace was once a Governor's palace for the Dutch and later the home of the British Governors that has now been converted into a KTDC (Kerala Tourism Development Corporation) hotel.
Bolghatty Palace is on an island, off Cochin in the Arabian Sea. The building was once a Governor's palace for the Dutch and later the home of the British Governors.
The palace is two-storeyed and contains well-decorated bed chambers, a huge lounge wherein historical portraits are displayed. The ferry ride from the mainland Ernakulam to the island is a pleasurable experience. There is a golf course to boot.
 
Hill Palace
Located at a distance of 10 kilometers from Kochi, Hill Palace, the official residence of the Kochi royal family was built in 1865. Consisting of 49 buildings, the palace is built in the Traditional Architectural Style of Kerala and is surrounded by 52 acres of terraced land.
All sorts of flora of Kerala including rare medicinal plants are found here. A full-fledged ethno-archaeological Museum and Kerala's first ever Heritage Museum are the major attractions.
Exhibited inside the thirteen galleries are oil paintings, 19th century paintings, murals, sculptures in stone and plaster of Paris, manuscripts, inscriptions, coins, belongings of the Kochi royal family, Paliathachan's gallery and royal furniture including the 'simhasana' (the throne or the king's chair).
 
There are on display 200 antique pieces of pottery and ceramic vases from China and Japan, Kudalkall, tomb stone 'thoppikkallu', hood stone 'menhirs' in granite and Literate memorials, rock cut caves belonging to the early iron, age wooden temple models.
There is an amazing array of plaster cast models of objects from Mohanjodaro and Harappa of the Indus Valley civilization of North India. The upper story houses a gallery of contemporary art.
The huge area over which the museum is spread provides the facilities for other recreation activities as well. The huge expanse of land that surrounds the royal palace has a Deer Park and has facilities for horse riding also.
Timings :
 The museum is open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm on all days except Mondays.
 
BISHOPS HOUSE
Built in 1506 as the residence of the Portuguese Governor, the Bishop's House stands on a little hillock near Parade Ground. The facade of the house is characterized by large Gothic Arches and has a circular garden path, winding upto the main entrance.

The building was acquired by Dome Jos Gomes Ferreira, the 27th Bishop of the Diocese of Cochin whose jurisdiction extended over Burma, Malaya and Ceylon in addition to India.
Location: Ernakulam, Kerala
Attractions: 1506 AD
Famous As: Residence Of Portugese Governor
Previously Acquired by: Dome Jos Gomes Ferreira
 
Marine Drive
Also called as Shanmugham Road, Marine Drive is a long gracefully curving road along the buttressed seacoast of Kochi City. The view of the backwaters and the harbour from here is really breathtaking. 
The Walkway here, along the edge of the backwaters starting from behind the Children's Park to the end of the Shanmugham Road, has become  popular with both locals and tourists. The 140-metre walkway is paved with black-dotted, red-carpet ultra tiles. Cast-ironed, wooden benches, weather-proof seating on ash grey tiles and the breeze blowing in, provide recreational relaxation. Film music filters through the speakers fixed at the Renewable Energy Park, in the walkway area behind the Park.  Now there are two beautiful bridges along the walkway. At the other end of the walkway, a number of  country boats and motor boats are parked which are available for rides in the backwaters.
At night, twinkling lights of ships anchored at the harbour is beautiful. There are a number of  buildings along the Marine Drive which are good examples of modern architecture like Asoka Apartments, Taj Residency, etc. The famous shopping centres GCDA complex and the Pioneer Towers at the Marine Drive houses many showrooms and restaurants. The surrounding area of the marine drive has become a favourite location for shooting sequences for movies.
 
Mattancherry Palace
Place : Mattancherry, Kochi, Kerala
Highlight : Kerala Murals depicting Hindu temple art, Portraits and exhibits of Rajas of Kochi
Best time to visit : August - March
Timings : Open 10.00 am - 5.00 pm on all days except Fridays and national holidays, Photography not allowed inside
Also known as Dutch Palace, the Mattancherry  palace with its medieval charm is situated at Palace Road, Mattancherry,10km from Ernakulam city, Kochi, Kerala. Built by the Portuguese and presented to the Raja of Kochi Veera Kerala Varma (1537-65) in 1555 AD, it took on its present popular name ' Dutch Palace' after 1663, when the Dutch carried out some extensions and renovations in the palace. The rajas also made more improvements to it. Today, it is a portrait gallery of the Cochin Rajas and notable for some of the best mythological murals in India, which are in the best traditions of Hindu Temple Art.
The entrance to the Mattancherry Palace compound is through two arches which are typically Portuguese in character and a flight of steps through a portico on the south, gives access to a suite of public rooms on the upper level of the palace. The Palace with two floors built around a central courtyard follows the traditional Kerala style of architecture known as 'nalukettus'. From the outside, the palace looks European in character with scraped masonry walls and round-headed windows and doors but its sloping tiled roof and wooden balconies are indigenous features. 
 
Kerala Kalamandalam Cheruthuruthy
Cheruthuruthy (Kerala Kalamandalam) north of Trichur, 29km away, near the Shornore Railway Junction. Mahakavi Vallathol founded Kerala Kalamandalam at Cheruthuruthy, in 1930. It's main objective is to revive, preserve and develop the traditional art form of Kerala, particularly Kathakali.Now the Kerala Kalamandalam is functioning at Vallathol Nagar, in Cheruthuruthy with its new building complex the Natyagraha. The old Kerala Kalamandalam is still at Cheruthuruthy on the shore of Nila River (Bharathapuzha). The Samadhi of Poet Vallathol, the founder of the institution, is in the premises of the old Kalamandalam.It is in this academy that the best of Kerala's Kathakali performers get their rigorous training. The institution also offers training in music, drama, and other dance forms including Mohiniyattom, Koodiyattom and Ottan Thullal.
 
Guruvayur
Thrissur is a good base for a pilgrim trip to Guruvayur, 32 kms away. It is among India's most important pilgrimage centres and is also known as the Dwaraka of the South. The Sree Krishna Swamy Temple, which attracts thousands of pilgrims is said to date prior to the 16th century. Tradition has it that Guru-the preceptor of the Devas, and Vayu-the Lord of the Winds created the temple. The temple is dedicated to Krishna known here as Guruvayurappan or the Lord of Guruvayur, the extreme grounds of Punnathur Kotta near Guruvayoor houses the elephants of Guruvayoor temple.The building was once the palace of a provincial chieftain Punnathur Nambidi
 
Arackal Palace & Kannur Fort
The Arackal Palace is the sole Royal household of Muslims in Kerala.It is located at Kannur. The Arackkal Family was known as Arackkal Beevi,who could also be invested with sovereignity if she happened to be older than the senior male member of the family. The fort built by the Portugese stands nearby.
 
Krishnapuram Palace ,Kayamkulam
Location :
Kayamkulam, 47 km from Alappuzha. Visiting hours : 9.00 am to 5.00 pm on all days except Mondays . The Krishnapuram Palace is a rare specimen of the Kerala style of architecture - complete with gabled roofs, narrow corridors and dormer windows. Residence of the rulers of Kayamkulam kingdom, the age of the palace is unknown.
 
Bekkal Fort, in Kasarkode
The largest and the best-preserved fort in Kerala, Bekkal Fort, in Kasarkode, is 16 km south on the National Highway. The beautiful Bakkel beach with the historic and archaeologically significant fort in the background is now being developed, into an international tourist destination. Earlier it was part of the kingdom of Ikkiri Naiks, provincial rulers of the Vijayanagara Empire.It became part of the Vijayanagar Empire. In the late 18th century Tipu Sultan captured it. An old mosque near the fort is believed to have been built by the Mysore forces. After the British overthrew him, the fort came under the East India Company.