Popular Palaces in Thiruvananthapuram

Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala is one of the best tourist locations of the state. From some of the best beaches to the beautiful palaces, the city has something to offer to all. There are some famous palaces in the city that makes Thiruvananthapuram even more attractive.

A few of these palaces are turned into museums by the government so that the visitors can have a look at the household equipment and other accessories used by the royal family during that time. Let's take a look at a few such popular palaces in Thiruvananthapuram.

Kowdiar Palace

Kowdiar Palace is the official residence of the Travancore royal family. The palace was built by Sree Moolam Thirunal and gifted to Setu Parvati Bayi. The palace is known for its marvellous architectural work. Entry to the palace is restricted. Though it is open from 10am to 4pm for the visitors.

The palace is located at Kowdiar in Thiruvananthapuram. The Thiruvananthapuram International Airport is located around 14 km from the palace and the city central railway station is located about 6 km from the palace.

Kanakakunnu Palace

Located around 800 m away from Napier Museum, the Kanakakunnu Palace is a popular tourist attraction in Thiruvananthapuram. The palace grounds are now a venue for major cultural meets and other programmes. All India Dance Festival is conducted in the grounds of the palace from October to March every year. Visitors throng to the palace to celebrate the Festival where the Indian classical performances are conducted.

Though the palace was the residence of the Travancore royal family, later it was used to entertain their guests. The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) has listed the palace among heritage monuments of India.

Koyikkal Palace

Located in Nedumangad in Thiruvananthapuram, the Koyikkal Palace is one worth exploring as it depicts Kerala architecture in its truest sense. The palace was built as a residing place for Umayamma Rani of the Venad royal family. The palace now comprises of two museums that are often frequented by tourists.

The Folklore Museum of Koyikkal Palace is the first of its kind in Kerala. It has specimens of traditional musical instruments, utensils used in ancient times and other household and communication instruments used in those times. The Numismatics Museum has a huge collection of coins dated back centuries. The palace is located between Ponmudi hill station and Kuttalam waterfalls and is around 18 km from Thiruvananthapuram city.

Padmanabhapuram Palace

Though the palace falls in Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu, it is just 50 km from Thiruvananthapuram. The palace is constructed inside a 4 km long granite fortress.

The palace complex includes several structures like Mantrashala (King's Chamber), Thai Kottaram (Mother's Palace), Nataksala (Hall of Performing Arts) and Thekke Kottaram (Southern Palace).

Kilimanoor Palace

Who wouldn't have heard of the famous artist Raja Ravi Varma. The Kilimanoor Palace is the birthplace of this celebrated artist. The palace structure is built in six hectares of land and many of the buildings in it are said to have built by Raja Ravi Varma himself. Though the construction of the palace started centuries back, the structure that we see today was completed in 1753.
The palace is located in Kilimanoor which is around 35 km from the Thiruvananthapuram city.