The Paliam Kovilakam Museum is one of the major stops on your Muziris Trail. The Kovilakam (palace in Malayalam) was the traditional home and office of the Paliath Achans, who were once the prime ministers in the Kochi King's court. It came to be called Kovilakam after the King hid here during the Portuguese attacks. When the Dutch had come to Kochi, the members of the Paliam family helped the Dutch to have a foothold over the Portuguese. In appreciation for the services rendered, the Dutch rebuilt the palace in a Dutch-Kerala style. The most common Dutch features you'd see are the pulley windows, the thick walls and pillars, and the wide staircase.
When you enter the museum, there's a small waiting room with a TV that will take you through the brief history of the palace. There's a guide who will take you through the palace after the video walkthrough. The palace is divided into three floors and this writer's favourite floor is the Durbar Hall where the head of the family used to hold court (full disclosure, this writer is part of the Paliam family and he grew up playing in the halls and lawns of this palace before it was converted into a palace museum).
Through the various artefacts, and paintings you'll be able to gather an idea of the Kingdom Of Cochin, the frequent battles with the Portuguese, Dutch, and English as well as attacks from the Zamorins. There's even a replica of the throne that's at the Hill Palace here. One room is dedicated to various temple artefacts.
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