Information on Koyikkal Palace (Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala) - History & Architecture

Koyikkal Palace is located close to Nedumangad KSRTC Bus terminus, Trivandrum District in Kerala State of India. It is an ancient place built in the 17th century AD by the Venad Thamburanl clans, who ruled this area in the year 1677 to 1684. It is an historic monument of social and cultural values in the Kerala State from its golden times with European Imperialists influences.

Koyikkal Palace Architecture

Koyikkal Palace is built at a 68 meter elevated land area surrounded by coconut palm trees in Nedumangad Village. It is a large square structure built in 2 stories. The raw materials of this building are mount clay brick, lime stones, clay tiles and woods. This palace is built on the traditional Kerala architectural pattern. Its roof was slanting downwards from its 1st floor and the top ceiling, which gives a look of typical Kerala model of housing. Its roofing is laid done by terracotta tiles all over the palace. It has large pillared entrance on its gate way. The entrance of the palace has a small watch tower like model with cylindrical pillars which gives a look of royal entrance to this palace. There are large verandahs and corridors supported with small pillars which are very beautiful to walk around. On the interior side, all of its building supports are carved by woods; it has one of the strongest wooden ceilings, which still lasts today. The court room is the largest hall with splendid wooden works on its surroundings. Wooden steps are built inside to reach its first floors are strong enough to use it today. Inside there are many small and large rooms which were built with residential fitments with well carved wooden door and window.

Koyikkal Palace History

Koyikkal Palace was built around 1680 by the royal Thamburathi named Umayamma Rani of Venad Knigdom who ruled these regions from the year 1677 AD to 1684 AD. These clans were very important to the colonialist. This place was an important pepper and rubber trade centre for the European Union. Koyikkal Palace has two meaning locally. The word Koyikkal literally means arithmetic's and the other local meaning is the hen's leg. The world famous Agasthiyar Hills is located here for its medicinal values of herbs found there. It is located near to the great Ponmudi lake area. This palace is the traditionally built type still in it shape. When the Venad clans declined in the 18th century, this palace was used by the Travancore royals. In 1992 this palace was converted into a museum of art and cultural by the Kerala archeological department. There are two galleries found here, namely the folklore and the numismatic. The folklore has a vast collection of olden musical instruments, olden house hold implements, old manuscripts and readings of folk songs and stories, traditional and royal dresses. It has many models of traditional art forms practiced here, like the Kathakali dance. The Numismatic gallery is put up on the first floor, which has the ancient collection dates back to 2500 years from now. There are Indian coins kept in the chronological order. There are also international coins. The coin of Ashua of Jerusalem is the most valuable one here.

Koyikkal Palace Tourism Importance

Koyikkal Palace is a place of beautiful landscape surrounded by it. It is one of the heritage monuments in Kerala still in use and opened to public view. This palace has two museums inside depicting its rich art and cultural values. It has one of the few colonial antiquities well preserved here. This palace and its surrounding are filled with large lakes, waterfalls and palm groves. It is just 18 Km from the Trivandrum City.