Napier Museum / Govt. Art Museum

The Unique Experience

Explore the Indo-Saracenic architectural style at Napier Museum, counted as one of the topmost places to visit in Trivandrum. The museum boasts of an extensive collection of rare artefacts that will lure the ‘history buff’ in you. From carvings in ivory, to idols crafted out of bronze, to a chariot, there is hardly any rare specimen left out at this magnanimous museum. Also, budding painters can get enough inspiration from the vast collection of paintings by eminent artists such as Raja Ravi Varma and Roerich. So, if you are planning to go for the Trivandrum tour packages, just have a try to visit this beautiful place also.

About Palace Museum / Kuthira Malika

Also called Govt. Art Museum, it was constructed by the King of Travancore in the year 1855 and is nestled majestically inside the premises of Zoological Gardens. It was after Sir John Napier that the museum was named. The building of the museum looks striking with a harmonious blend of Kerala, Chinese, Italian and Mughal styles of architecture. An extensive collection of paintings are housed at the famous Sree Chitra Art Gallery. Here, one can see paintings of various schools like Mughal, Tanjore and Rajput as well as international paintings from Bali, Tibet, and China.,

More About the Place-some trivia to interest you!

Napier Museum architect-who was it? 

Looking unique, the design of the structure is geometrical. It was designed by none other than Robert Chisholm, the famous architect appointed by the erstwhile Governor of Madras. It was built in 1855

Was it rebuilt?

Yes, the museum was rebuilt and named after John Napier, the previous Governor of Madras in the year 1874. 

An in-built cooling system?

The palace museum is built in such a way that the interiors remain cool and temperatures are maintained.

How many exhibits are there?

There are more than 500 exhibits that are housed at this museum which makes it a prized spot for tourism.

What else?

Sree Chitra Art Gallery

This gallery is enough to get you motivated to book a trip to Trivandrum city as it houses a vast collection of paintings by famous painters like Raja Ravi Varma and Roerich. It was founded by SreeChithiraThirunal, Raja of Travancore. All the paintings are exquisite and belong to the schools or Gharanas like Tanjore, Jaipur & Mughal. Also present in the gallery are paintings from Orientalcountries as well as pre-historic mural work. One can also find rare copies of Indian mural paintings dating back to the 18th century at this gallery. 

Napier Museum timings

It is open for visitors from 10 AM till 4.30 PM. On Wednesday, it opens its doors from 1 PM till 5 PM while on Monday, it is closed. 

How to reach

Distance in kilometers from - Trivandrum Central - 3 kilometers and Trivandrum Airport- 5 kilometers