Hill Palace

Hill Palace was built in 1865 as the residence of the Kochi royal family and later served as the Imperial Administrative Office; today it houses Kerala's largest archaeological museum. Inside, the galleries move through folklore, painting, numismatics, chariots, metalware and jewellery, with the royal crown of Kochi, an Old Testament written on goat skin, the royal throne and an English silver cup among the pieces on display. A separate Metalware gallery holds rare silver and bronze objects from the 14th century, and stone sculptures date back to the 10th century. The pottery and ceramic collection runs to over 200 antique pieces, including vases brought from Japan and China, alongside plaster cast models from the Indus Valley sites of Mohenjodaro and Harappa. Photography is not allowed inside the palace itself, so this is a visit best done without a camera in hand. Outside, the grounds open up into a deer park, a children's park, a prehistoric park and a botanical garden planted with tree species from Central America and Australia. If you want photos, the compound allows it for a separate camera fee. Two hours is enough for the palace interior alone; add more if you plan to walk the outdoor parks with children.