Kochi Hill Palace Museum

The Best Kept Secret Treasure of Kerala

It was the official residence of the Kochi royalty. It’s a museum on a hill so known as Hill Palace Museum. The first heritage museum in India. Why secret? Not because it’s not known, but because umpteen tour operator web sites on Kerala do NOT include it in their sightseeing itinerary. Why? Dunno. But don’t miss it. Coz it’s not just a single museum, there are 49 galleries plus the garden. 

The Main Building 

Not to Miss Sights

1. The actual gold crown studded with diamonds and precious stones that was presented by Vasco da Gama on behalf of the Portugese king to the Kochi king can be seen here. Also the throne and the room where Kochi acceded to India. No photos allowed so sorry, you’ll have to see it with your own eyes.

2. A musical instrument. A harmonium with pipes and a stage with if I recall correctly 20 Dutch dolls that move in time to the music. No, unfortunately it’s just for display. But having seen the musical clocks of Salar Jung Museum in Hyderabad, which do work, I haven’t seen anything so quaint. It falls on the left side when you walk down the corridor so keep an eye out because it’s not in a room, just mounted in an alcove in the wall after you come out from seeing the crowning glory. 

The Weapons & Chariots Museum

1. The paintings. They’re just unbelievable true to life. Like photographs.

2. The chariots. There are Bombay carriages and landaus…names right out of old Victorian novels…you can see in what style the former maharajas travelled. Yes, the upholstery has lost its glow, the wood is not polished but they don’t have a fresh coat of paint at least like everything else historic in Kochi. A bow to the museum caretakers for that. Better old than never. 

The Garden

It’s absolutely lovely with flowering bushes of all hues at every level so your eyes can feast on more than just the steps. They’ve really taken a lot of trouble to design it as you can see in the pix. 

Hill Palace Museum - Front View

Main Entrance of Hill Palace Museum, View from top of steps

Hill Palace Museum, Landscape Garden

Hill Palace Museum, Garden View

 

Reaching Hill Palace Museum

It’s in Thripunitura….that’s the area name, it’s just a 25 minute drive down from Kochi. You can reach it even via Allepey depending on your itinerary circuit because from Allepey, too, you can get on the road to Kochi.

And yes, it’s very much part of Ernakulum so don’t let anyone fool you into paying extra. If you’ve paid for sightseeing in Kochi, this is part of it, too. Make sure you get across this point loud and clear. It’s not out of the way and all that blah.

Once you’re there, the ticket window.

Adults – Rs. 10/-

Camera – Rs. 20/-

Light Vehicle – Rs.20/-

Then the driver will find a spot to park, there’s plenty of space within the grounds. Off you go. It’s a walk then a climb. But it’s not a steep climb, they’re low, broad steps that don’t trouble the knees too much. 

Tip for Sightseeing at Hill Palace Museum

Wear a broad-brimmed hat for the outside. Yep, it’s a wide open space again. Wear footwear you can slip on and off easily because no footwear is allowed in the main building. No cameras or mobiles either. The footwear must be deposited outside in racks. You’ll get a coupon. There’s a counter inside to deposit the mobile and camera as well. Coupon again. Collect everything while coming out and move to the adjoining building. Arrows all around so you can’t miss it. Footwear, cameras, mobiles are allowed in the Weapons and Chariots, Folklore and Numismatics Gallery next to it. But you’re not permitted to take photos. You can take plenty of photos outside. 

Timings of Kochi Hill Palace Museum:

Mondays and Public Holidays Closed

9am – 12:30am and 2:00pm - 4:30pm.