The Finest Historical Places of Kerala

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 :

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.