Kerala is not only about cool coconut groves and
lush paddy fields, palm fringed beaches and emerald backwaters, verdant hills
and rain forests, but much more.It is also a treasure trove of architectural monuments like forts and palaces and these forts were built as defense against
invading enemies.There are so
many famous historical places in Kerala.
St.
Angelo Fort:
It is situated in Kannur district. It
is also known as Kannur Fort or Kannur Kotta. This fort faces the Arabian Sea
and lies in the Cantonment area in Kannur. It is separated from the sea by a
huge wall. A stair case leads to the top of this wall. A massive
triangular laterite fort, replete with a moat and flanking bastions, the St.
Angelo's Fort also called Kannur Fort was constructed by the first Portuguese
Viceroy, Don Francesco de Almeida in 1505.The main attraction of this fort is Fascinating view of a natural fishing bay and a sea wall
projecting from the fort separating the rough sea and inland water.This fort is
one of the historical place in kerala .
Vasco House is one among the historical places in kerala.
And it is Believed to have been the residence of Vasco da Gama, this is one of
the oldest Portuguese residences in Fort Kochi. Built in the early sixteenth
century, Vasco House sports the typical European glass paned windows and
balcony cum verandahs characteristic of the times.
The
Pazhassi Raja Museum:
Pazhassi Raja Museum Is located in the
midst of Kozhikode town has a huge collection of mural paintings, old coins and
miniature form of temples. In the art gallery close to the Pazhassi Raja
Museum, most of the paintings are those of Raja Ravivarma. Display Sections The
Displayed Antiques On display in the museum are ancient murals, antique bronzes
and coins, megalithic relics such as diamond cysts, temple miniatures and
umbrella stones. Adjacent to the museum is the Art Gallery, which exhibits an
excellent collection of paintings by Raja Ravi Varma and Raja Raja Varma.
Exhibits / Collection Pazhassiraja Kerala Varma.
Bekal
Fort :
Bekal fort is the largest and best
preserved historical places in kerala . It is
situated 10 Kms north of Kanhangad and is of great historical and archeological
interest. The fort has been under the care of the Archaeological Survey of
India since the time of the British. The view of
the sandy beach on one side & rocky beach on the other, from
the Bekal Fort is a real treat to the eyes. Bekal
Fort, which is about 350 years old, is the largest fort in Kerala. It is
proposed to be developed into a tourist complex.
Hill
Palace:
The Hill Palace, the official
residence of the Kochi royal family, is today the largest archaeological museum
in Kerala. Built in 1865, the palace complex consists of 49 buildings in the
trational architectural style of Kerala, sprawled over 52 acres of beautifully
landscaped terraced land which houses a deer park and facilities for horse
riding. Numerous species of flora including rare medicinal plants grow here. On
display in the full-fledged Ethno-archaeological museum are oil-paintings,
murals, sculptures in stone and manuscripts, inscriptions, coins, belongings of
the Kochi royal family and royal furniture including the simhasana (throne).
Padmanabhapuram
Palace:
A magnificent wooden palace of the
16th century, Padmanabhapuram Palace lies at the land's end of mainland India -
Kanyakumari. An enticing ediffice to any lover of art and architecture this old
palace of the Rajas of the erstwhile Travancore (1550 to 1750 AD) is a fine
specimen of Kerala's indigenous style of architecture. The antique interiors
are replete with intricate rosewood carvings and sculptured decor. The palace
also contains 17th and 18th century murals. One can see: the musical bow in
mahogany, windows with coloured mica, royal chairs with Chinese carvings,
'Thaikkottaram' or the Queen Mother's palace with painted ceilings, rose wood
and teak carved ceilings with 90 different floral designs. The palace is one of the best examples of the traditional wooden
architecture of Kerala and also the finest historical places in Kerala.
