MATTANCHERY PALACE

Mattancherry Palace (Dutch Palace). Built by the Portuguese in 1557 and presented to Raja Veera Kerala Varma of
Kochi, the palace was renovated in 1663 by the Dutch.

Mattanchery Palace is situated at Mattanchery about 10 kms from Jos Junction the centre of the City. Mattanchery has
been an important trading center for the past few centuries. The town has a mixed population consisting of Hindus, Jews,
Muslims, Christians and other communities.

The Mattanchery Palace known popularly as the Dutch Palace was built by the Portuguese in 1555 and later remodeled
by the Dutch. The Palace is one of the oldest buildings of the Portuguese and is in Oriental style. It is quite unique from
historical & architectural point of view. It was built by the Portuguese and presented to Veera Kerala Varma in order to
pacify him and to compensate for having plundered a temple in the vicinity of the Palace. It has served as a seat of the
Royal House and important functions connected with the coronation of the Maharaja used to be held here. It was during
AD 1665 that major repairs and renovation was carried but by the Dutch.

The Palace is a two tiered quadrangular building consisting of long spacious halls with a central courtyard enshining the
Royal deity, Palayannur Bhagavati. Two more temples are situated on either side of the Palace dedicated to Lord Krishna
& Lord Siva respectively. The ground floor known as the Ladies Chamber is connected by a staircase from kanithalam
room.. The upper storey consists of Coronation hall, Bed Chamber, Dining Hall, Assembly Hall and the Staircase room

The eastern portion of the coronation hall is square and is meant for the coronation ceremony of the Kings and the
Western portion is meant for other distinguished members. The ceiling is decorated with inverted lotus (Adhopadma) and
other floral designs representing the finest wooden carvings of the period.

A perpetual light (Kedavilakku) is kept in the Royal bed chamber (Palliyarai) as a mark of respect to one of the Cochin
Maharajas who died here. Here we can see one of the finest and perhaps oldest murals of Kerala depicting Ramayana
story

The ceiling of Dining Hall is fitted with a large number of brass cups whereas the ceiling of Assembly Hall is more
ornamental.

JEWISH SYNAGOGUE
The synagogue is situated next to the Mattanchery Palace and is an important historical monument. The synagogue also
known as "Paradesi Synagogue" was built in AD 1567. Later in AD 1664 it was rebuilt by the Dutch. The synagogue is
also important in view of the fact that it houses the famous copper plate grant of Bhaskara Ravi Varma dated AD 1000, a
golden crown presented by the Maharaja of Travancore in AD 1805 and the great scrolls of the old Testament. There are
nearly two hundred and fifty six blue and white willow-pattern tiles, now forming the payment which were brought from
Canton in China. These tiles were presented to the synagogue by Mr. Ezekeil Rahabi, a rich merchant who also built a
clock tower. The scene depicted on each of these two hundred year old tile is different from the other and no two tiles are
alike.