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Kerala has an impressive array of historic and cultural monuments, in regions like Fort Kochi which was a trade centre for centuries, the architecture is a curious mix of typical Kerala, European, Chinese, Jewish and Arabic styles. But the most prevalent architectural style is the traditional Kerala style nalukettu or ettukettu (four or eight-sided structures with a central courtyard and verandah opening out to it). The low sloping roofs and brick walls were designed to match the climatic conditions and terrain of the land.
Padmanabha Swamy Temple:Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the temple is a blend of the Kerala and Dravidian styles of architecture. It is famous for its exquisite mural paintings and stone carvings.
Kuthira malika (Puthenmalika) Palace Museum:
Built by Maharaja Swathi Thirunal Balarama Varma, the poet king, musician, social reformer and statesman, this palace is a rare specimen of workmanship in the traditional Travancore style. Featuring exquisite wood carvings, the palace is today a museum which displays priceless paintings and other articles.
The Napier Museum:
The Indo-saracenic structure dating back to the 19th century boasts a natural air-conditioning system. The museum houses rare collection of archaeological and historic artefacts, bronze idols, ancient ornaments, a temple chariot and ivory carvings. Located near the Napier Museum is the Sree Chithra Art Gallery that displays select paintings of Raja Ravi Varma, Svetlova and Nicholas Roerich as well as exquisite works from the Rajput, Mughal and Tanjore schools of art in India. The collection also includes paintings from China, Japan, Tibet and Bali. (Open 1000 1700 hrs. Closed on Mondays & Wednesday forenoons)
Padmanabhapuram Palace:
The seat of the erstwhile rulers of Travancore, this splendid palace is situated at Thuckalai, on the way to Kanyakumari. This is a well-preserved wooden palace, a glorious testimony to the traditional Kerala school of architecture. The extraordinary murals, exquisite floral carvings and the black glossy granite floor have withstood the test of time.
(Closed on Mondays).
Krishnapuram Palace:
The palace museum is known for its of antique sculptures, paintings and bronzes. The 18th century mural Gajendramoksham is the largest in Kerala.
St. Francis Church:
Built in 1503 by Portuguese Franciscan friars, this i India's oldest European church. Vasco da Gama's mortal remains were buried here in 1524 before they were removed to Lisbon.
Santa Cruz Basilica:
Dating back to 1558, this church has beautiful murals on the ceiling.
Mattancherry (Dutch) Palace:
Built in 1557, the palace has on display murals depicting scenes from the Indian epics and legends, Dutch maps periods furniture and royal collections.
Mattancherry Synagogue:
The oldest synagogue in the Commonwealth this was constructed in 1568. Hand-painted willow patterned Hebrew inscriptions on stone slabs, scrolls from the old Testament, ancient scripts on copper plates etc. are the attractions here.
Bolgatty Palace:
Built by the Dutch in 1744, this beautiful palace is today a hotel run by the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation.
Hill Palace Museum, Thripunithura:
The palace complex built in 1865 houses an ethno-archaeological museum and Kerala's first ever heritage museum.
Chinese Fishing Nets / vasco da Gama square:
These huge cantilevered fishing nets are the legacy of one of the first visitors to the Malabar Coast Erected here between 1350 and 1450 AD by traders from the court of Kublai Khan, these nets are built of teakwood and bamboo poles. The best place to watch the nets being lowered into the sea and catch being brought in is the Vasco da Gama Square, a narrow promenade that runs along the beach. The Square is an ideal place to idle, with stalls serving fresh delicious seafood, tender coconut etc.
Palakkad Fort:
This fort was built by Hyder Ali of Mysore in 1766.
Thali Temple:
Dating back to the 14th century, the temple is a fine example of the total integration that can exist between wood and laterite.
St. Angelo Fort:
Built by the first Portuguese Viceroy, Don Fransiscan De Almeda in 1505, this fort became one of the fmportant military centres of the Dutch and later the British in Malabar.
The Thalasseri Fort:
This fort was constructed in 1708 as the military centre of the British.
Thodeekulam Siva Temple:
Belleved to have been built about 2000 years ago, this temple is famous for its mural paintings.
Bekal Fort:
The 300-year-old fort is one of the largest and best preserved forts in Kerala, This imposing circular laterite structure rises 130 ft above sea level and stands on a 35-acre headland that runs into the Arabian sea.
Ananthapura Lake Temple:
This 9th century monument is the only lake temple in Kerala.
