MATTANCHERRY PALACE OR DUTCH PALACE

Mattancherry Palace displays beautiful murals depicting scenes from the Ramayana, Mahabharta and other hindu epics. It was built by the Portuguese in 1557, as a gift for Raja Veera Kerela Varma of Kochi. When the dutch came to Cochin, the renovated the palace in AD 1663.

ST FRANCIS CHURCH

St Francis Church is the oldest European church in India and was built in AD 1503 by Portuguese Franciscan Friars. The remains of the famous dutch explorer Vasco de Gama were burried here and later moved to Lisbon. The Dutch protestants restored the church in 1779 and in 1795 it was converted into an Anglican church by the British.

JEWISH SYNAGOGUE

The Jewish Sanagogue is famous for its 18 th century hand printed, villow patterned floor tiles from Canton in China, a dock tower, Hebrew inscriptions on stone slabs and scripts of copper plates. This Synagogue was built in AD 1568 and is the oldest Synagogue in the common wealth. It was destroyed in a shelling during the Portuguese raid in AD 1662 and rebuilt two years later by the dutch.

WILLINGDON ISLAND

Wellindon Island is a beautiful man-made island surrounded by the backwaters . It has been named for Lord Wellingdon, who was a British Viceroy to India. On this island, you can hope to find the cities best hotels, customs and trading centers, the port trust and the headquaters of the southern Naval command.

GURUVAYOOR TEMPLE

Guruvayoor, at a distance of 32 km from Thrissur is an important site and is known as Dwarka of south. The temple dates back to the 16 th century and is dedicated to lord Krishna, who is known here as the lord of Guruvayoor.

ATHIRAPILLY WATERFALLS

Athirapilly waterfalls is a popular picnic and recreation spot. Tourists and locals flock to see the 80 ft high waterfalls. The picnic spot is located 63 km from Thrissur and the Sholayar mountain range.

DOLPHIN’S POINT

From this point you can see Dolphins playing in the sea in the early hours in the morning. Dolphins point is located 2 km from Kozhikode and is along a stretch of trees.

NAPIER MUSEUM

Dating back to late 19 century the Napier museum demonstrates indo-saracenic influences. The museum is characterized by a naural air-conditioning system and houses a rare collection of archaeleogical and historical artefacts, bronze idols, antique jewellery, temple chariots and ivory carvings.

SREE CHITRA ART GALLERY

The Sree Chitra art gallery displays select paintings of Raja Ravi Varma, Svetlova and Nicholas Roerich. It also houses excuisite works from the Rajput, Mughal and Tanjore schools of art. This is also a place for paintings from China, Japan, Tibiet and Bali.

MUST DO

*  TAKE A HOUSEBOAT RIDE

*  ATTEND A KATHAKALI DANCE PERFORMANCE

*  WITNESS A SNAKEBOAT RACE

*  GO FOR A AYURVEDIC MASSAGE

*  VISIT THE KANYAKUMARI TEMPLE