The Hill Palace

        The Hill Palace Museum is situated about 16 kms east of Cochin city on the Ernakulam-Piravam Road. The Palace complex shows a synthesis of European and Kerala styles of architecture. The Palace is a good example of classical architecture and the major attractions are Nalukettu (four sided building with a central courtyard), a few agraharams, an imposing bunglow built in Dutch style and a royal durbar. This sprawling Palace, built by the Dutch and presented to Sakthan Thamburan, the then Raja of Cochin, now houses a museum. The museum mainly displays the erstwhile wealth and prosperity of the royal family of Cochin, inlcuding the King's throne and crown. The antiquities displayed also include coins, palanquins, palm leaf manuscripts, wooden sculptures, paintings etc. The museum has a fairly good collection of antique temple carvings. There is a deer park in the Palace compound