Mattancherry Palace, also known as Mattancherry Dutch Palace or simply Dutch Palace, is a historical marvel in Kochi, Kerala. Showcasing a blend of Portuguese, Dutch, and ancient Kerala-style architecture. Mattancherry Palace is among the top tourist attractions in Kochi!

Mattancherry Palace is situated at a distance of 4.5  Kms from Fort Kochi and it will take 10 minutes from Fort Kochi. Palace Road where  Mattancherry Palace is situated is at a distance of 10km from Ernakulam city, Kochi, Kerala. The palace is also a part of UNESCO’s tentative list of World Heritage Sites!

ALSO SEE – Top 15 Places To Visit In Kochi Kerala

See this brief guide to know what makes it special, when you should visit, and how you can get there.

Mattancherry Palace: What sets it apart?

Mattancherry Dutch Palace is one of the most iconic structures in Kochi, Kerala.

The palace has several intriguing features that bring thousands of travelers to its doorstep every month! From the palace’s architecture, art, exhibitions, and collections, several attributes set it apart from other fortresses and palaces across India.

Mattancherry Palace timings and entry fee

Mattancherry Palace has been built in the typical Kerala style of architecture. Its four wings on either side and the central courtyard are classic examples of the Nālukettu structure of Southern India.

Mattancherry Palace – Timing

The palace grounds and museum remain open for tourists and locals from 10 AM to 5 PM every day, except Fridays and national holidays.:
10.00 A.M. to 5 P.M.
Holidays – Friday and National Holidays
Cameras: Prohibited.

ALSO, SEE – Top 25 Best Places to visit in Kerala

 Cost for Indian & Foreign Adults and Children for Mattancherry Palace

 

Item	The rate in Indian Rupees
Indians – Entry Fee	5
Foreigners – Entry Fee	20
Indian Student – Entry Fee	0
Foreign Student – Entry Fee	0

Mattancherry Palace entry fee is subject to change during special occasions, exhibitions, and festivals. Check the official website of the palace for such details before going.

Today, this grand palace stands as a brilliant example of a mix of Kerala, Portuguese, and Dutch architecture! It has even found a place in UNESCO’s tentative list of World Heritage Sites!

The history of Mattancherry Dutch Palace

Mattancherry Palace was built in 1545 AD by the Portuguese as a gift for King Veera Kerala Verma, the ruler of the Kochi dynasty.

It was taken over and redesigned by Dutch colonists in 1663 AD, where it incorporated elements of Dutch architecture as well and adopted the moniker Mattancherry Dutch Palace.

Later, it was again renovated by the Rajas who gave it a profound Hindu outlook and ornamented it with the architectural characteristics of Hindu Temple Art.

In 1951, this palace was declared a national monument of India. In 1985, the Mattancherry Museum was added to these grounds on the upper level of its two-story structure.

ALSO SEE – What to see in Kochi in 24 hours

The architecture

Mattancherry Palace has been built in the typical Kerala style of architecture even though built by Portugese. Its four wings on either side and the central courtyard are classic examples of the Nālukettu structure of Southern India.

This central courtyard also features a beautiful Bhagavathy Temple dedicated to Pazhayannur Bhagavathy, the chief deity of Kochi’s royal family. It’s among those very few temples in India that exhibit the attributes of both Indian and European architecture!

There is also a Shiva Temple and Krishna Temple on opposite ends of the palace. Other than the temple, the palace possesses long and expansive hallways, tall pillars, archways, and chambers, all bearing distinct European-style architecture!

The upper story of Mattancherry Palace contains a large Coronation Hall where important coronation ceremonies were held in ancient times. In addition, this floor has a series of rooms like a bed chamber, a grand dining hall, and a lady’s chamber, among others.

ALSO SEE – Best 5-Star Hotels In Kochi: Our Top 10 Picks

The murals and paintings

Among the palace’s most captivating aspects is its collection of mural paintings that cover approximately 300 square feet of its ceilings and showcase heroic scenes from Hindu epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata

Many of these murals also tell tales of revered deities like Lord Krishna using vibrant colors and intricate carvings. Visitors are also left speechless by the detailed life-size portraits of the Kings and Queens of Cochin since 1864 that now sit in the palace’s portrait gallery!

A treat for art lovers, the murals and paintings adorning the Mattancherry Palace offer a rare glimpse into the rich culture and religious heritage of India in ancient times, particularly the ones gracing the high timber ceilings of the palace’sDining Hall.

ALSO SEE – Top 10 One Day Trips From Kochi

The Mattancherry Palace Museum

The Mattancherry Dutch Palace in Kochi also houses an exquisite museum where you’ll find a rare collection of ancient artifacts and exhibits on display!

Offering a deep insight into the royal history of Kochi and the grand lifestyle of the kings of old, there are several notable exhibits you can see in the Mattancherry Museum.

They include the portraits of Cochin’s kings, paintings of grand processions, armors, weapons, sheathed swords, feather-studded ceremonial spears, silver daggers, crowns, priceless coins, silver sequined gowns, royal umbrellas, and Dutch maps of the ancient kingdom of Cochin.

Best time to visit Mattancherry Palace Kochi

December to February is considered the most pleasant time to visit Mattancherry Palace. Kochi is a tropical coastal city with temperatures between 23° and 35° in peak winter months.

Kochi experiences moderately pleasant weather during December, January, and February. With less humidity, cool ocean breeze, and clear skies, the mornings and evenings are great for sightseeing and outdoor activities.

ALSO SEE – Best Time To Visit Kerala: Summer, Winter, or Monsoon?

How to reach Mattancherry Palace, Kochi

Mattancherry Palace is located in Kochi, a popular metropolitan and the Cultural Capital of Kerala with an international airport and railway station connected to major cities across India.

It’s super easy to reach Mattancherry Palace from anywhere in Kerala or even South India.

ALSO SEE – 10 Delightful Places To Visit In Kerala In December

By air

The nearest airport to Mattancherry Palace is Cochin International Airport located 41 km away.

Tons of taxi services, car rentals, and app-based ride-sharing cabs are available at the airport. You can also get a bus or airport shuttle here, where the latter is for limited distances and places.

By train

Ernakulam Junction is the closest railway station to the palace and is located 10 km from the palace. Plenty of tuk-tuks and taxis are available here. You can also hail a cab online or get a seat on a local KSRTC bus.

By road

Thanks to Kochi’s smooth and well-maintained road network, it is easy to get to the Dutch Palace from anywhere in the city or from nearby cities.

There’s no dearth of taxis, autorickshaws, and local buses in Kochi, all of which operate from various parts of the city and are readily available everywhere.

You can get a schedule of public buses on the KSRTC website online and see which ones are connected to Mattancherry.

By water

If you’re seeking some fun experiences in Kochi, take a ferry to Mattancherry Palace!

All you have to do is board a ferry from Ernakulam port to Fort Kochi and then take a taxi, tuk-tuk, or bus to Mattancherry Palace, which is just 4 km away (10 minutes) from the port.

You’ll see that going on a ferry ride is among the most fun things to do in Kochi anyway!

Places to visit near Mattancherry Dutch Palace

There are several tourist spots near Mattancherry Palace that you must explore during your trip to Kochi, Kerala.

Some of these include:

• Paradesi Synagogue: One of the oldest Jewish holy sanctums and an architectural masterpiece with its vivid hand-painted floor tiles and massive chandeliers.
• Jew Street: A paradise for lovers of rare antique goods, vintage artifacts, handicrafts, and spices.
• Spice Market: A bustling spice market filled with the intoxicating aroma of authentic Kerala spices like pepper, cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves.
• Indo-Portuguese Museum: A renowned museum displaying Kerala’s rich cultural heritage and remnants of the Portuguese era through a collection of ancient artifacts, precious coins, and several religious relics.
• St. Francis Church: Among India’s oldest European churches and the original burial site of Vasco da Gama before relocating to Portugal.
• Fort Kochi Beach: A must-visit for its iconic Chinese Fishing Nets and the site of Kochi’s annual Fort Kochi Carnival.
• Santa Cruz Basilica: A beautiful ancient structure famous for its Gothic architecture, detailed frescoes, and European-style stained-glass windows.
• Princess Street: One of Fort Kochi’s oldest streets and a favorite haunt of couples and shopaholics courtesy of its quaint cafes, old souvenir shops, colonial-era buildings, and artsy streets!

ALSO SEE – The Rich Culture Of Kerala: Art Forms, Dance, Festivals, Food & More

Mattancherry Palace is the epitome of Kerala’s rich heritage and distinct cultural tapestry that seamlessly blends indigenous and foreign architectural designs. If you love art, history, and unique architecture, this wonderful palace in Kochi is a must-visit!