Hill Palace Museum
Hill Palace Museum
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.0
33 reviews
Excellent
11
Very good
11
Average
6
Poor
3
Terrible
2
Abhijit M
New Delhi, India309 contributions
Jun 2024 • Family
Hill Palace was the official residence and the seat of the king of Cochin. It has been converted into a museum and is stated to be the largest archaeological museum of Kerala. The palace is situated in Tripunithura, about 10 km from the city centre and is very well connected with every part of the Kochi city. It has sprawling gardens all around which also houses deer park and children's park.
The palace building can be divided into North and South sides. The north side is built in traditional Kerala style whereas the south side is of Europian style. There is an old wooden lift between the two sides. The buildings are very well maintained, clean and in immaculate condition.
Apart from the building, the other things of interest are the displayed crowns, ornaments and family tree of the Cochin royal family, paintings, rare photographs, stone and marble sculptures, weapons, inscriptions, historical documents, articles used by the royals and coins.
While the palace and museum are a must see, the rules & regulations are not exactly tourist friendly. The museum is open from 9 am -12 pm and then 2 pm - 4:30 pm. It remains closed on Mondays. One has to remove the shoes at some distance and it is painful to walk some 100 odd meters on hot stone paved walkways. Visitors are allowed in batches and there is quite a jostling among the visitors to enter. In some rooms natural light is not adequate but artificial lights are not installed. DSLR camera was allowed by the reception after buying a ticket but inside the museum its usage is dependent on the whims of the security personnel. Flash is not allowed anywhere. Drinking water and washrooms are also not available in the museum.
The palace building can be divided into North and South sides. The north side is built in traditional Kerala style whereas the south side is of Europian style. There is an old wooden lift between the two sides. The buildings are very well maintained, clean and in immaculate condition.
Apart from the building, the other things of interest are the displayed crowns, ornaments and family tree of the Cochin royal family, paintings, rare photographs, stone and marble sculptures, weapons, inscriptions, historical documents, articles used by the royals and coins.
While the palace and museum are a must see, the rules & regulations are not exactly tourist friendly. The museum is open from 9 am -12 pm and then 2 pm - 4:30 pm. It remains closed on Mondays. One has to remove the shoes at some distance and it is painful to walk some 100 odd meters on hot stone paved walkways. Visitors are allowed in batches and there is quite a jostling among the visitors to enter. In some rooms natural light is not adequate but artificial lights are not installed. DSLR camera was allowed by the reception after buying a ticket but inside the museum its usage is dependent on the whims of the security personnel. Flash is not allowed anywhere. Drinking water and washrooms are also not available in the museum.
Written December 2, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Laura P
Medford, MA23 contributions
Sep 2023 • Friends
Good historical info (although some repetition with what you'd learn at the Mattancherry Palace). Some beautiful art and artifacts also on display. Unfortunately we couldn't see the famous view of the city because it was raining hard during our visit. The beautiful gardens were designed so that rainwater run-off would be captured for future use, and they now support a wide variety of native flora and fauna from the entire state.
Written September 29, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SR
Ireland43 contributions
Nov 2021 • Family
It is a fantastic place showcasing the past glory of cochin royals, information boards are placed well across the rooms, if much interested in history. Ideal to visit with kids. Place needs renovation & uplift. outside gardens and fountains are not functional.
Good for a visit 2 hrs minimum
Good for a visit 2 hrs minimum
Written November 8, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
hvd
5 contributions
Jan 2020
Six of us attempted to visit - all foreigners. Naturally we had our handbags with passports, lots of cash, cell phones, keys etc. To enter the museum we had to take off our shoes some distance away and walk on hot cement footpath to the museum. Removal of footwear was acceptable as we understood the reasoning though the walk was uncomfortable.
Then we were told to leave our handbags with belongings in lockers where the shoes are. We said we were not going to do that as we have valuables in the handbags. They were normal sized small bags, not back packs. Offered to show them the contents upon entry and departure. The museum guy flatly refused.
At the ticket counter we all asked for our money back. Not that Rs 30 is a huge sum but it was the principle of the whole issue.
Anyone knows all lockers have master keys, esp if the guest loose their key. Our phones carry all our personal information, data, bank details, photos etc. Any phone can be hacked and the chip cloned. Passports can be forged. Keys can be duplicated. Cash can be taken.
I am not saying that this will happen but the possibility is there. What is it the museum is so worried about?
One of the museum guys said he is an assistant security head. I actually run a very successful security organization and advised him to not speak to me about his abysmal so called security which puts every visitor as risk of all sorts of security breaches.
Finally after much “argument” we managed to get our entrance fee back.
We have travelled to many countries all over the world and it’s the first time we have encountered such ridiculous restrictions. If there are concerns that guests would indulge in untoward behavior then post staff at each point.
I would advise to never go to such places that have such draconian restrictions and breach our human rights.
Then we were told to leave our handbags with belongings in lockers where the shoes are. We said we were not going to do that as we have valuables in the handbags. They were normal sized small bags, not back packs. Offered to show them the contents upon entry and departure. The museum guy flatly refused.
At the ticket counter we all asked for our money back. Not that Rs 30 is a huge sum but it was the principle of the whole issue.
Anyone knows all lockers have master keys, esp if the guest loose their key. Our phones carry all our personal information, data, bank details, photos etc. Any phone can be hacked and the chip cloned. Passports can be forged. Keys can be duplicated. Cash can be taken.
I am not saying that this will happen but the possibility is there. What is it the museum is so worried about?
One of the museum guys said he is an assistant security head. I actually run a very successful security organization and advised him to not speak to me about his abysmal so called security which puts every visitor as risk of all sorts of security breaches.
Finally after much “argument” we managed to get our entrance fee back.
We have travelled to many countries all over the world and it’s the first time we have encountered such ridiculous restrictions. If there are concerns that guests would indulge in untoward behavior then post staff at each point.
I would advise to never go to such places that have such draconian restrictions and breach our human rights.
Written January 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lina E
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia3,604 contributions
Mar 2020 • Couples
This musuem has amazing collection, unfortunately, there is no information on the antique shown just the piece inventory number. The two colonial buildings houses various antiques and a section has pieces made of gold but with no information and are covered with dust. You have to take off your shoes and put your mobile in a locker. Photos are not allowed inside the musuem.
Entry fee is Rs 30
Entry fee is Rs 30
Written March 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ranjith
Kochi (Cochin), India165 contributions
Oct 2022
The Hill Palace is the largest archaeological museum in Kerala. It was built in the year 1865 and was once the Imperial Administrative offices and official residence of the Maharaja of Cochin. This is located at Tripunithura just 10+ Kms from Kochi City.
The architecture and construction of palace is very good. The floors in some rooms are very beautiful and still smooth and shiny.
In Addition, there is a Children's park and a Deer/Sambar park and a big T Rex Statue.
Its a must see place. (Museum remains closed on Monday's)
The architecture and construction of palace is very good. The floors in some rooms are very beautiful and still smooth and shiny.
In Addition, there is a Children's park and a Deer/Sambar park and a big T Rex Statue.
Its a must see place. (Museum remains closed on Monday's)
Written February 9, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
poojathakur13
Mumbai, India309 contributions
Jan 2023 • Family
This palace was the home to the Royal family of Cochin. It hosts beautiful artifacts and a gold crown kept in a large walk-in safe. The collection is exquisite and it's very informative about the Cochin Royal family and history of Cochin.
Written January 21, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NanjilsRobin
Marthandam, India73 contributions
Sep 2019
this is a historic place at the heart of the city. Special locker is available to keep valuables including your mobile phone. Rs. 10/- for the locker. You can carry the Locker key with you. Mobile phones are not allowed inside. You will have to take the shoes off.
Written February 25, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Love2smile
7 contributions
Jan 2020
very nice well maintained palace, enjoyed very much, and surrounding area very nice.
we thought we won't spent so much time there . but we spent well 3 hours there. no shoes and camera allowed in museum. other surrounding place shoes were allowed highly recommended.
we thought we won't spent so much time there . but we spent well 3 hours there. no shoes and camera allowed in museum. other surrounding place shoes were allowed highly recommended.
Written February 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DEV
Mumbai, India11,245 contributions
Dec 2024 • Family
A nice sightseeing and museum situated in kochi. Devoted to the maharaja of cochin. Preserved history with very informative display, well managed and greenery everywhere. Enjoyed the place with kids and a must visit for every tourist. There is a road approaching to the palace so can take care up to top. Also ample parking space for bus and big vehicles.
Written February 10, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
What is the rate for pre wedding shoot?
Written September 12, 2022
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