About Mattancherry Palace (Dutch Palace) :
The Dutch palace or Mattancherry palace was originally built by the Portuguese and presented to the Raja of Cochin, Veera Kerala Varma in 1555. It was later taken over by the Dutch who improved it through extensions and repairs in 1663.The Mattancherry Palace, also known as Dutch Palace, was built by the Portuguese in 1557 and was presented to Raja Veera Kerala Varma, then ruler of Cochin. The palace was later renovated by the Dutch, and since then it was also called Dutch Palace. Though built by the Portuguese, it was built in Kerala style of architecture. It is a ‘Nalukettu’ a style of architecture then popular in Kerala (It is still popular in Kerala but with modifications) with a centre courtyard. The flooring of the palace will look like black marble but actually it is made by a special mixture containing charcoal, egg whites and lime (The same can be seen in many other palaces in Kerala). The palace is famous for its murals. The palace displays hundreds of them depicting Hindu religious traditions and beliefs. Most of them portrays themes from Ramayana and Mahabharata. Make sure you see the paintings on the low ceiling of King’s Chamber on the South-west corner of the palace. The palaces also showcases swords and other weapons used by the kings at the time. How to Reach Mattancherry palace? The palace is located at The palace Road, Mattancherry, Fort Cochin, Ernakulam, Kerala. There are frequent bus and boat services connecting Mattancherry and Ernakulam city. You can reach Ernakulam city via Road, Train or Plane. (See here for more info) Timings: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm on all days except Fridays.
General Information about Mattancherry Palace (Dutch Palace) :
Location: Mattancherry Near Ernakulam
State: Kerala
Capital: Thiruvananthapuram
Language: Malayalam, English, Hindi
Temperature: Max 36˚C, Min 22˚C (summer), Max 28˚C, Min 18˚C (winter)
Best Season: August to March
How to Reach Mattancherry Palace (Dutch Palace) :
By Air:
The airport is situated 5 km. away from Ernakulam. Cochin airport has domestic and international terminals.
By Rail:
Ernakulam is connected to all cities in India by railroad. There are two main stations, Ernakulam Junction and Ernakulam Town also known as north station along with additional train stations in Cochin terminal, Aluva and Tripunithura. Ernakulam Town junction is prominent and most of the trains pass through this station.
By Road:
Kochi is connected by good roads with various centers of south India by national highways and linked to all towns in Kerala. The central bus station is situated in the heart of Ernakulam city and is very close to the Ernakulam Junction railway station. Long route private buses operate from High Court Jn., Railway Station and Kaloor Junction.
By Water:
The main Ferry Station (Boat Jetty) is located 1 km. from Junction railway station and has services to the following places. The ferry to Bolgatty Island operates from the jetty near the High Court. Boat services to Chaganacherry, Kottayam, Alapuzha, Vypeen, Fort Cochin, Mattancherry, and Willingdon Island etc. are available.
By Local Transport:
Taxis, buses and auto rickshaws are available for local transport within Ernakulam.
Ermakulam and Kochi are Same:
Ermakulam and Kochi are same. ernakulam is the new developed metro city area and Kochi (Cochin) is the old town. Fortkochi and Mattancherry are the very old regions. You will get taxi cabs, bus and boat to reach Fortkochi and mattanchery.Basically Ernakulam and Kochi are same. Kochi is the old name of Ernakulam and especially Kochi is Fortkochi (Cochin 1) and Mattancherry (Cochin 2). There is another one part named Edakochi. Now the Heart of Kochi is M.G Road and Marine Drive. Mg Road is Kochim35 and 36 and also Marine Drive is Kochi 17. The distance between Old Kochi and the new part of Kochi i.e., Ernakulam is 15 kms by road and 5 km by water (back water) through Boat or Jankar.