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Bolgatty Island
Near the historic town of Fort Kochi in Ernakulam district, the commercial capital of Kerala, is the Bolgatty Island. This lush, lovely island is famous for its palace of the same name. The Bolgatty Palace, built in 1744 by the Dutch and later taken over by the British, is today a popular hotel run by the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation.
Getting there:
There are regular ferry services from Kochi.
Nearest Railway Station :
Ernakulam, at about 2kms.
Nearest Airport :
Cochin International Airport, at about 20 km.
Krishnapuram Palace, Kayamkulam
The Krishnapuram Palace is a rare specimen of the Kerala style of architecture - complete with gabled roofs, narrow corridors and dormer windows. Residence of the rulers of Kayamkulam kingdom, the age of the palace is unknown. The Palace renovated some time in the 18th century, the palace is today a protected monument under the Archaeology department. Recently it has been again renovated according to the scientific techniques prescribed for the protection of heritage buildings.
Getting there:
Nearest railway station :
Quilon about 40 kms.
Nearest airports :
Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, about 100kms.
Dutch Palace, Mattancherry, Fort Cochin
Built by the Portuguese in 1557 and presented to Raja Veera Kerala Varma of Kochi, the Palace was renovated in 1663 by the Dutch. The palace with a Bhagavathi temple in the central courtyard is built like the typical Kerala style mansion - the Nalukettu - the home of the aristocracy, nobility and upper classes, with four separate wings opening out to a central courtyard. The double storied palace building which stands by the panoramic Kochi back waters has an exquisite collection of murals collectively covering over 300 sq. ft of its walls. The themes of these murals have been borrowed from the great Indian epics - the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, and mythology and legends about the Hindu gods especially Guruvayurappan. Some murals depict scenes from Kumarasambhavam and other works of the great Sanskrit poet Kalidasa. Also on display are royal paraphernalia like weapons, swings and furniture which offer a glimpse of the lifestyle of the royal family.
Getting there:
There are frequent bus and boat services to Mattancherry.
Nearest railway station:
Ernakulam, about 10 km.
Nearest airport:
Cochin International Airport, about 20 km from Ernakulam town.
Jewish Synagogue
Located at Fort Kochi, about 10 km from Ernakulam town, constructed in 1568, is the oldest in the Commonwealth. Destroyed in a shelling during the Portuguese raid in 1662, it was rebuilt two years later by the Dutch. Mid-18th century hand painted, willow patterned floor tiles from Canton in China, a clock tower, Hebrew inscriptions on stone slabs, great scrolls of the Old Testament, ancient scripts on copper plates in which the grants of privilege made by the erstwhile Cochin rulers were recorded etc., are articles of interest here. The area around the Synagogue is a centre of spice trade and curio shops.
Getting there:
Nearest railway station:
Ernakulam, about 10 kms.
Nearest airport:
Cochin International Airport, about 40 kms.
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