Ambalapuzha Sree Krishna Temple

Mattancherry Palace, popularly known across the world as the Dutch Palace, stands along Palace Road in historic Mattancherry, Kochi (Cochin), Kerala, standing as one of India's finest architectural gems celebrating Kerala royal heritage and colonial European history.

Originally constructed around 1555 AD by the Portuguese as a diplomatic gift to Raja Veera Kerala Varma of Cochin, the palace was extensively renovated, expanded, and embellished by the Dutch East India Company (VOC) in 1663, giving it a unique blend of traditional Kerala Nalukettu architecture and European colonial arches.

It's the home of over 300 square meters of masterfully executed 16th to 18th century Hindu temple wall murals depicting the complete epic Ramayana and Krishna Leela, the royal coronation hall of the Cochin Maharajas, an exquisite central temple dedicated to Pazhayannur Bhagavathi, and royal palanquins, ceremonial dresses, and Dutch maritime cartography.

It represents a rich cultural center where traditional Kerala timber craftsmanship, classical Hindu mural art, Portuguese and Dutch colonial legacies, and princely Cochin traditions unite on the backwaters.

Located in the lively Mattancherry heritage enclave, it sits 4 km south of Fort Kochi, 10 km west of Ernakulam Junction Railway Station, and 40 km from Cochin International Airport, easily reached by passenger ferry, auto, or cab.

History & The Portuguese Dutch Legacy

The Portuguese constructed the palace around 1555 AD as an act of goodwill and compensation after their soldiers plundered a nearby temple, gifting it to the reigning Cochin Raja.

In 1663, when the Dutch captured Cochin and expelled Portuguese forces, they carried out extensive repairs, added sweeping verandas, and modernized the defensive compound, leading locals to call it the Dutch Palace.

Truth is, despite its European moniker, the palace structure strictly adheres to traditional Kerala Nalukettu design, centered around an open to-sky inner courtyard (Nadumuttam) that houses the royal family shrine of Goddess Pazhayannur Bhagavathi.

World Famous Kerala Hindu Temple Murals

The crown jewel of the palace is its collection of 16th to 18th century tempera wall murals, executed using natural mineral and plant pigments, revered among the best classical murals in Asia.

The Ramayana Suite: Spanning 48 elaborate panels in the royal bedchamber, these murals vividly narrate the entire Valmiki Ramayana, from King Dasaratha's sacrifice to Lord Rama's triumphant return to Ayodhya.

Krishna Leela & Kumarasambhava: Murals in the upper coronation chambers depict Lord Krishna playfully lifting Mount Govardhana, sporting with the gopis, and scenes from Kalidasa's classical Sanskrit poetry, renowned for rhythmic linear beauty and rich earthy ochres.

Royal Regalia & Traditional Black Floors

The Unique Kerala Floor: Look closely at the polished dark flooring inside the halls; it looks like black marble but is actually crafted from an ancient Kerala recipe combining burned coconut shells, plant juices, lime, and egg whites that stays cool throughout hot tropical summers.

Royal Museum Exhibits: The palace displays oil portraits of the Cochin Maharajas from 1864, gold embroidered silk ceremonial robes, royal ivory palanquins, brass howdahs, and 17th century Dutch maritime charts of the Malabar coast.

Combine your visit to Mattancherry Palace with the nearby Paradesi Jewish Synagogue in Jew Town, spice shopping along Bazaar Road, and an afternoon exploring Fort Kochi's colonial lanes and seaside promenades.