FAMOUS MONUMENTS OF KERALA

Bolghatty Palace
Built by the Dutch in 1744, the Bolghatty palace in Ernakulam is on an island, off Cochin in the Arabian Sea. The building was once a Governor's palace for the Dutch and later the home of the British Residents. Today, this is one of the prestigious hotels of the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation.

Cheraman Juma Masjid
Cheraman Juma Masjid in Kodungalloor is the first mosque in India. It was built in 629 A.D. and resembles a temple in appearance. It is situated. This was rebuilt recently

Cheruthuruthy
Cheruthuruthy (Kerala Kalamandalam) north of Trichur, 29km away, near the Shornore Railway Junction. Mahakavi Vallathol founded Kerala Kalamandalam at Cheruthuruthy, in 1930. It's main objective is to revive, preserve and develop the traditional art form of Kerala, particularly Kathakali.Now the Kerala Kalamandalam is functioning at Vallathol Nagar, in Cheruthuruthy with its new building complex the Natyagraha. The old Kerala Kalamandalam is still at Cheruthuruthy on the shore of Nila River (Bharathapuzha). The Samadhi of Poet Vallathol, the founder of the institution, is in the premises of the old Kalamandalam.It is in this academy that the best of Kerala's Kathakali performers get their rigorous training. The institution also offers training in music, drama, and other dance forms including Mohiniyattom, Koodiyattom and Ottan Thullal.

Alwaye palace
The Alwaye palace is situated on the banks of the Periyar River with beautiful circular verandas overlooking the river. This old palace building is now The Alwaye Guest House, which is one of the loveliest in this State.

Aranmula Temple
Dedicated to Lord Krishna is another pilgrim place for Hindus. The temple Aranmula can be reached from Chengannur on the Thiruvananthapuram - Kottayam route. A major attraction are the snake boat races held as part of the Uthrettathi festival in August/September. Aranmula is famed for its hand-made mirrors of polished metal called the "Aranmula Kannadi".

St. Sebastian Church
Portuguese missionaries established one of the most important pilgrim centres of the Christians in Kerala, popularly known as St. Sebastian Church, 22 kms; north of Alleppey. This church is near Sherthallai. The feast of St. Sebastian is held here every January.

Bekkal Fort
The largest and the best-preserved fort in Kerala, Bekkal Fort, in Kasarkode, is 16 km south on the National Highway. The beautiful Bakkel beach with the historic and archaeologically significant fort in the background is now being developed, into an international tourist destination. Earlier it was part of the kingdom of Ikkiri Naiks, provincial rulers of the Vijayanagara Empire.It became part of the Vijayanagar Empire. In the late 18th century Tipu Sultan captured it. An old mosque near the fort is believed to have been built by the Mysore forces. After the British overthrew him, the fort came under the East India Company.

Guruvayur
Thrissur is a good base for a pilgrim trip to Guruvayur, 32 kms away. It is among India's most important pilgrimage centres and is also known as the Dwaraka of the South. The Sree Krishna Swamy Temple, which attracts thousands of pilgrims is said to date prior to the 16th century. Tradition has it that Guru-the preceptor of the Devas, and Vayu-the Lord of the Winds created the temple. The temple is dedicated to Krishna known here as Guruvayurappan or the Lord of Guruvayur, the extreme grounds of Punnathur Kotta near Guruvayoor houses the elephants of Guruvayoor temple.The building was once the palace of a provincial chieftain Punnathur Nambidi

Padmanabhapuram Palace
Though located at Thuckalai in Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu, (65 kms south of Thiruvananthapuram) this former palace of Travancore is a splendid example of Kerala architecture. It is a protected monument of the Kerala State Archaeology Department. The palace is noted for its excellent wood architecture and murals.

Nedumangad Palace
This 18th century palace known as Koikkal Kottaram is situated about fourteen Kms from Thiruvananthapuram at Nedumangad.The palace today houses a folklore museum and a numismatic museum as well.

The Churches ar Muttuchira (Kottayam)
Situated on the MC Road, between Vaikom and Kaduthuruthi, Muttuchira has an interesting conglomeration of three churches of different periods built in the same compound. These churches display distinctive features of the evolution of Church architecture in Keraa, the oldest of which is a typical example of Neo-Boroque style.

Krishnapuram Palace
This is also another protected monument of the state. A former palace of Travancore kings, it was built in the 18th century at Krishnapuram in Kayamkulam in Alappuzha district.This monument is often reffered to as a miniature model of Padmanabhapuram Palace.

Mattancheri Palace
This was a palace built for the Raja of Kochi in1552 AD by the Portugese. But posterity remembers this monument as the Dutch Palace, mainly because it was renovated and re-built by the Dutch East India Company. The palace has beautiful murals and a remarkable display of old Palanquins and armoury.

Hill Palace Museum (Ernakulam)
This museum displays the erstwhile wealth and prosperity of the royal family of Cochin, including the king's throne and crown. Also on display are other trapping of royalty like majestic beds, paintings, carving and samples of epigraphy. Tripunithura is also known for the nearby Chottanikkara Temple and the Tripunithura Temple.

Palace and Jewish Synagogue (Mattancherry)
It was built in 1568 AD, the great scrolls of the Old Testament, the copper plates in which the grants of privilege made by the Kerala rulers Bhaskara Varma in A.D 1000 and the exquisite Chinese hand painted tiles are of interest. No two tiles are alike and are two hundred years old. There are also several finely wrought gold and silver crowns gifted to the synagogue by various patrons.

Arackal Palace & Kannur Fort
The Arackal Palace is the sole Royal household of Muslims in Kerala.It is located at Kannur. The Arackkal Family was known as Arackkal Beevi,who could also be invested with sovereignity if she happened to be older than the senior male member of the family. The fort built by the Portugese stands nearby.