Information on Gundert Bungalow (Kannur, Kerala) - History & Architecture

Gundert Bungalow is located at Koduvally, Thalassery Taluk, Kannur District, of Kerala State in South of Indian peninsula. This was the bungalow were a German missionary named 'Dr. Herman Gundert' stayed here for 20 years in research work on cultural and social activities. This bungalow is famous for his literary works and workshops of this scholar. This is a unique bungalow of touristic importance in Kannur District. To reach here one must come to Kannur or Cannanore, which is the northern part of Kerala State. It is well connected in Mumbai Trivandrum by Konkan Railways. The other major junctions to connect here are from Mangalore, Bangalore, Shimoga, Ooty and Coimbatore.

Gundert Bungalow Architecture

Gundert Bungalow is large edifice built in the watch tower model. It is around 200 years old, still standing in its glory. This building is a typical model of traditional architecture found in those days. The building materials used here were sand bricks, granite stones and teak woods. On the inside there are many halls verandahs and small living rooms. There are many wooden pillars on the verandahs. Many of its major doors are built with well carved woods. All of its tops are covered with clay tiles, which give it a traditional looks. On the entrance there are two big pillared arches as a gateway to this Bungalow. It has very beautiful site out areas. The edifice is tiled in a pyramid shape on the top with wooden beam supports. There are also many wooden ceilings found, which are well polished and not ruined up till today. This bungalow is built on a vast woods area. Still there are trees of more than 300 years old around it.

Gundert Bungalow History

Gundert Bungalow was used by 'Dr. Herman Gundert' from 1819 to 1839. He lived here, when he came to Kerala as missionary from Germany. He was a great scholar in literary works, that he mastered and published the first Malayalam Dictionary from here. This bungalow does have its credit to publish the first news daily named 'Paschimodayam'. All this literary works efforts were researched and published from this Bungalow. He was also a great scholar in lexicography. He was responsible to preach Christianity in this region and translated the Bible in to Malayalam for the first time. Inside the bungalow there are vast collection of his writings and source books. There is a fascinating writing on the days after the Vasco da Gama, which describes the neo classical history in Kerala and relative subsequent changes after it. All those machineries and articles of literary works are preserved and kept here for public viewing. He spent most of his time on research and learning new languages from here. He considered the Malayalam as the very old ancient language.

Gundert Bungalow Tourism Importance

Gundert Bungalow is open to public from Monday to Saturday by timing 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM. It is best place for literary lovers and history buffs. Here Malayalm is the local language, but peoples here do understand and speak Hindi and English very well. There are many beach resorts surrounded here. To get budget hotels one must go to Thelessery town. From Kannur town it is a 27 Km away. There are very good transportation services available in this town. It is well located on the national highways. There is no special season to visit here. Tourist can come here any time throughout the year.