Mattancherry Palace (The Dutch Palace)

Anchoring the heritage of the region, the Mattancherry Palace stands as an architectural marvel born from colonial diplomacy. Built by the Portuguese in 1555 as a gift to the King of Kochi, and heavily renovated by the Dutch a century later, the palace seamlessly marries traditional Kerala Nalukettu (quadrangular) design with European-style archways and spacious halls. Inside, the walls come alive with some of the most vibrant and intricately preserved 16th-century murals in India, vividly depicting scenes from the Hindu epics Ramayana and Mahabharata. As you walk over its unique flooring—traditionally crafted from a mixture of burnt coconut shells, lime, plant juices, and egg whites you are surrounded by lifelike portraits of Cochin Maharajas, royal weaponry, and historic palanquins that echo the grandiosity of a bygone era.