Museums and galleries in Kochi

Museums and galleries in Kochi

1. SeeOld Kochi

   Bastion Bungalow

   Typical Indo-Dutch architecture, this bungalow was built on the site of the erstwhile Stromsburg Fort, which was demolished during the Arab raids. It serves as the District Heritage Museum.

2. SeeOld Kochi

   Cochin Port Maritime Heritage Museum

   The museum is housed in the residence of the chief engineer during the construction of Willingdon Island. It was converted into a museum in May 2014. The museum has a rare collection of photographs depicting the evolution of the port city of Cochin.

3. SeeOld Kochi

   David Hall

   This 315 year-old Dutch bungalow was the official residence of Dutch Army commanders, the most famous being Hendrik Adriaan van Rheede tot Draakestein, who authored Horticus Malabaricus. The complex belongs to the Netherlands Govt. agency CNO which has been renovated to open a large art gallery, a traditional Dutch performing arts centre and a large studio for young painters. The building is a classic specimen of colonial Dutch architecture with elaborate Dutch gardens. Check at the reception to know the schedule of cultural performances.

   Tue-Sun 11AM-7PM

4. SeeOld Kochi

   Greenix Tourist Theater

   A good cultural theatre with a gallery, food court and mini museum.

5. SeeThrippunithura

   Hill Palace Museum

   The erstwhile Kochi Maharaja's palace, now converted to a large museum with a small zoo. Has paintings and epigraphy from collections of Travancore and Cochin royal families. It is the largest archaeological palace in South India with more than 500 artifacts divided into 16 galleries. The highlight of the Palace is the display of multi-billion worth Cochin Royal Crown and Crown Jewels. The Crown Gallery is a high security zone with elaborate security checks. Photography and bags are prohibited. The Palace complex is huge with several buildings inside. There is a good Deer Park (10AM-4:30PM) which also has peacocks. A small fauna garden was set up in 2003. The palace has more than 100 different species of trees and plants of medical value. The palace has five large gardens and two large resting grounds of late Maharajas.

   10AM-12:30PM; 2-4:30PM (Crown Gallery closes at 4PM) (closed Mondays)·Indians ₹20, foreigners ₹500 (including Deer Park and all attractions)

6. SeeOld Kochi

   Indian Naval Maritime Museum

   Built by the Indian Navy, the museum has many life-size exhibits, a huge display of naval arms and ammunition, replicas of large naval ships and personalities. One section inside a military bunker unravels India's shipbuilding prowess, which took its culture to the shores of Java, Sumatra and Bali between 4 BC and 11 AD. The section outdoors takes you through the Indian Navy's moments post 1947. These include the commissions of various types of ships, submarines or aircraft carriers, as well as superficial details of Junaghad operation, Goa liberation, Indo-Pak conflicts of 1965 and 1971 and strategic manoeuvres during the Kargil war. When you visit, bear in mind that India is one of the top ten naval powers in the world.

   Tue-Fri 9:30AM-1:30PM, 2:30-5:30PM; Sat Sun 9:30AM-1:30PM, 2:30-8PM·₹200 for foreign adults, ₹50 for Indians

7. SeeOld Kochi

   Indo-Portuguese Museum

   It highlights the start of European colonisation of the Orient in the 16th century. The museum showcases the growth and decline of Portuguese life in Kochi with a focus on the growth of the Latin Church. There are also excavated ruins of the former fort wall in the basement of the museum.

8. DoThrippunithura

   JT Pac Cultural Theatre

   is one of the most modern and upscale performing arts complexes, which has regular concerts, drama festivals, dance programs and other arts and cultural activities. A 1000-seater theater, it also has a good gallery and latest visual-audio systems. Booking may be necessary to secure seats and the theater has strict dress code regulations.

9. SeeOld Kochi

   Kashi Art Gallery

   is both an art gallery and a cafe that serves light breakfasts and lunches. The gallery exhibits work by popular contemporary Indian artists.

   8:30AM-7:30PM

10. SeeErnakulam

    Kerala Folklore Museum

    A theatre with regular evening performances, a state-of-the-art museum and cultural gallery.

11. SeeKalamassery

    Kerala Museum

    A good, well maintained museum with a 40 minute light and sound show (English and Malayalam) about Kerala history. Depicts the history of Kerala through life-like wax statues. Adjacent are the Museum of Dolls with nearly 1,000 dolls from various countries, and M.N.F Art and Sculpture Gallery that has many good collections of paintings and sculptures. This museum has a small, well maintained garden.

    ₹100 (₹30 for children)

12. BuyErnakulam

    Kirtilals

    Opposite Maharaja's College Ground, MG Rd. A grand exclusive diamond gallery, featuring more than 2,000 diamond collections and platinum jewel designs.

13. BuyErnakulam

    Malabar Gold

    Jewel Junction, opposite Grand Hotel, MG Road. An extensive gold, platinum and diamond collection. It has one of the largest watch gallery selling latest international premium brands like Rado, Tissot and others.

14. SeeGoshree

    Pallipuram Fort

    The oldest existing European fortification in India. Built by the Portuguese in 1503, it was later handed over to the Travancore Army to become a major army base till 1903, when it was converted into a heritage museum. It has a small museum and good views of the lagoon on one side and the sea on the other.

15. SeeErnakulam

    Pareekshith Thampuran Durbar Hall Art Gallery

    Contains oil paintings, old coins, sculptures, Mughal paintings plus models of temples and traditional Kerala buildings. It was the official Durbar Hall of Kochi Maharajas, now converted into a large fine arts gallery. It is named after last Maharaja of Kochi, who was an oil painter. A small studio nearby promotes young artists.

    Free

16. SeeOld Kochi

    Princess Street

    Loafer’s Corner

    The most famous street of Fort Kochi, which gives you a slice of authentic colonial European architecture. The only street that never faced any raid or demolitions in the past, Princess street is a perfect destination for an evening walk with numerous western-style cafes, souvenir shops, art galleries and heritage complexes.

17. BuyOld Kochi

    Yousuf Art Gallery

    Galleria Synagogue Art Gallery

    Showcases art work from many different local artists. Prices are reasonable, and they very often have exhibitions showing some amazing art work from the region. They feature art works and exhibitions by professional artists as well as talented emerging artists from South India.

18. BuyErnakulam Not mapped

    H. Venkatesha Naik Jewellery

    Rajaji Road, Near Kavitha Junction. Offers modern designs and lightweight collections. It also has an extensive diamond gallery and trendy collection of watches.

19. EatErnakulam Not mapped

    Hon. East India Company

    A historical themed restaurant operating within the four star Travancore Palace Hotel. Famous for its classic paintings and heritage photo galleries as well as its food. The evening buffet is one of the largest in town, offering the best of English, Kerala and North Indian cuisine.

    11AM-11PM

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Kochi (CC BY-SA 4.0).