Cultural Travel: Museums In Kerala

Museums in Kerala provide insight into the region’s rich culture and history like no place else. Here is a list of hand-picked museums across major cities in Kerala so you can visit at least a few on your next trip.

Napier Museum, Thiruvananthapuram

Named after the former Governor General of Madras, John Napier, this museum is one of the finest examples of architecture that blends Indian, Chinese, Kerala and Mughal styles.  From gothic roof to minarets, all elements combine seamlessly to form this unique masterpiece. A landmark in the city of Thiruvananthapuram, it was designed by Robert Chisholm and the construction of the building was completed in 1880. The Indo-Saracenic structure also boasts of a unique natural air conditioning system. The museum is home to a rare collection of archaeological and historic artefacts, a temple chariot, bronze idols, ancient ornaments and ivory carvings. The museum shares its grounds with one of the oldest zoological gardens in India, the Trivandrum Zoowhich was established in 1857.

Don't Miss: Do check out the Sree Chitra Art Gallery, which contains paintings by the modern master Raja Ravi Varma and the landscape painter, Nicholas Roerich apart from Mughal and Tanjore art. 

Visiting Hours: 10 am to 4:45 pm. Closed on Mondays, Wednesday forenoons, and some public holidays.

Address: LMS Vellayambalam Rd, near Museum Junction, Kanaka Nagar, Nanthancodu, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695033

Indo-Portuguese Museum, Kochi

From Vasco da Gama’s arrival in 1503 to 1663, the Portuguese ruled Cochin and inevitably left behind a lasting impression on the region’s history and culture. Located in Fort Kochi, The Indo-Portuguese Museum seeks to highlight this cultural relationship. The Portuguese influence on the art and architecture of the region can be seen here. Thanks to the efforts of Dr. Joseph Kureethra, Bishop of Kochi the museum was set up inside the compounds of the Bishop’s House so that future generations could understand the Indo-Portuguese Christian Art heritage. The museum is divided into five main sections – Altar, Treasure, Procession, Civil Life and Cathedral.

Don't Miss: A piece of the altar made in teak wood (16th century) from the Church of Our Lady of Hope, Vypeen, a chasuble (19th century) from Bishop’s House, Fort Kochi, and a Processional cross, which is a combination of silver and wood (17th century) from Santa Cruz Cathedral.

Visiting Hours: 9 am to 1 pm and 2 pm to 6 pm. Closed on Mondays and all public holidays.Entry is free on 1st Thursday of every month.

Address: Bishop's House, Fort Kochi, Kerala 682001

Museum Of Kerala Arts And History, Kochi

The Museum of Kerala History portrays the history of Kerala from its early inhabitants to the modern era. There are 38 life-size tableaux, each accompanied by a variety of visuals, reflecting the cultural and social history of Kerala. There is also a gallery that has on display paintings and sculptures, more than 200 in number by some of India’s leading modern masters, including Raja Ravi Varma, M.F. Husain, F.N. Souza, Jamini Roy, Benode Behari Mukherjee, Ramkinker Baij, Ram Kumar and K.G. Subramanyan, among others.

Don't Miss: Available in English and Malayalam, the sound and light shows will tell you all you need to know about Kerala’s history.

Visiting Hours: 10 am to 5 pm, on all days except Mondays.Closed on public holidays. 

Address: Kerala Museum, Pathadipalam, Edappally, Kochi - 682024

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