The Indo-Portuguese Museum situated in Fort Kochi throws light on the strong Portuguese influence in both the art and the architecture of the region.
The museum today is an important center to understand the Indo-Portuguese Christian Art heritage, which is still surviving. The museum is the outcome of the untiring efforts of the late Dr. Joseph Kureethra, Bishop of Kochi. Driven by sheer commitment to protect the rich heritage of his Diocese, the bishop established the Indo-Portuguese Museum to preserve some of the invaluable collections for posterity.
The museum is divided into five main sections, according to the nature of items displayed in each section. They are - Altar, Treasure, Procession, Civil Life and Cathedral.
The museum currently houses some outstanding collections and is , well known for its artistic and architectural marvels, which bear the mark of strong Portuguese influence. Some of these include a piece of the altar made in teak wood (16th century) from the Church of Our Lady of Hope, Vypeen, a chasuble (19th century) from Bishop's House, Fort Kochi, Processional cross, which is a combination of silver and wood (17th century) from Santa Cruz Cathedral, Fort Kochi, Indo-Portuguese Monstrance (18-19th century), from The Church of Our Lady of Hope, Vypeen. Among the displayed items, the Coat of Arms of the Franciscans needs special mention
The Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation has also contributed to the rich collection at the Indo-Portuguese Museum and has to its credit sculptures, precious metal objects and vestments, among others from the Cathedral of Santa Cruz and other churches of the Kochi diocese.
The Indo-Portuguese Museum in Kochi is indeed one of those symbols in the annals of Kochi, bearing the rich heritage of Indo-Portuguese culture and artistic influence.
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Explore the Major Museums in Kerala |
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Ambalavayal Heritage Museum
The archaeological museum in Wayanad, has one of Kerala's largest collections of the remnants of an era dating back to the 2nd century A.D. |
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Arakkal Kettu
This was the residence of the former Arakkal Ali Rajas, the only Muslim royal family of Kerala. |
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Archaeological Museum Thrissur
Houses a gallery of murals from all over Kerala and preserves a rare treasure of Veerakallu, temple models, olagrandhangal (manuscripts on dry palm leaves), megaliths etc. |
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Art Museum
Located in the Zoo compound, the art museum displays collections of wood carvings, metal sculptures and ancient jewellery. |
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Bastion Bungalow
Built in the Indo-European style way back in 1667, the Bungalow gets its name from its location on the site of the Stromberg Bastion of the old Dutch fort. |
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Bay Island Driftwood Museum
A display of large collection of superior quality driftwood articles of very high artistic value, prepared through a rare and innovative modern artforms. |
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Biotechnology Museum
Entrance fee: Adults: Rs.10 Children: Rs. 5 |
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Chacha Nehru Childrens Museum
Children of all age groups will enjoy the vast collection of nearly 2000 dolls, stamps and masks displayed here. |
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Chittur Garumadam
Located on the banks of the river Sokanasini (the destroyer of sorrows), this is a memorial to Thunchath Ezhuthachan. |
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Folklore Museum
Set up in 1992, the museum is a treasure trove of quaint musical instruments, occupational implements, household utensils, models of folk art etc. |
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Hill Palace Museum
The Hill Palace, the official residence of the Kochi royal family, is today the largest archaeological museum in Kerala. |
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Indo Portuguese Museum
The Indo-Portuguese Museum situated in Fort Kochi throws light on the strong Portuguese influence in both the art and the architecture of the region. |
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KCS Panicker Gallery
Nominated as one of the nine eminent artists of India, Kerala's renowned painter Panicker, was born in 1911. |
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Kerala History Museum Ernakulam
The unassuming gallery houses immortal creations that will give you glimpses of the glorious history and rich cultural legacy of this land. |
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Kirtads
This unique museum houses the tools and devices used by the ancient tribal communities of Kerala. |
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Krishna Menon Museum
This museum has an exclusive wing dedicated to the late V. K. Krishna Menon, renowned statesman. |
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Krishnapuram Palace Kayamkulam
Krishnapuram Palace is a rare specimen of the Kerala style of architecture - complete with gabled roofs, narrow corridors and dormer windows. |
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Kunnamangalam
'Water Heritage Museum' highlights the significance of water in relation to man and and also its usage in day-to-day life, with special emphasis of Kerala's traditions involving the use of water. |
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Kuthiramalika Puthenmalika Palace
The palace museum displays paintings and various priceless collections of the royal family and is located near the Padmanabha Swamy Temple. |
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Madhavan Nayar Foundation
Showcases historic episodes from the neolithic to the modern era through life size figures. |
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Maritime Museum
Throws light on the genesis, history, evolution and landmarks of the Indian Navy. |
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Napier Museum and Art Gallery Thiruvananthapuram
Built in the 19th century, this Indo - Saracenic structure boasts a natural air conditioning system and houses a rare collection of archaeological and historic artefacts, bronze idols, ancient ornaments, a temple chariot and ivory carvings. |
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Natural History Museum
Houses some excellent galleries like the skeletal, bird, animal and taxidermy gallery as well as a museum. |
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Numismatics Museum
The rare and historically valuable collection of coins give an insight into the trade relations of the State. |
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Pazhassiraja Museum and Art Gallery Kozhikode
Displays the acclaimed paintings of Kerala's cherished artists, Raja Ravi Varma (1848 - 1906) whose works brought international repute to the State and his uncle Raja Raja Varma. |
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Police Museum
On display are police arms of the 18 th and 19 th centuries and various other exhibits. |
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Priyadarshini Planetarium
One of the most versatile planetariums in the country. |
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Revi Karunakaran Memorial Museum
Collections of artistic and also of antique value become objects of appreciation and wonder for the public. |
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Sampaloor
Among the displayed items are major attractions like the cannon balls used by the invading army of Tippu Sultan; the holy vestments of priests; tablets that describe the old liturgical order and the tabernacle of the old church. |
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Science and Technology Museum Complex
The museum houses galleries on electricity, electronics, power & motion, mechanics, popular science, mathematics, solar energy as well as automobile, computer and biomedical engineering. |
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Sree Chithra Art Gallery
Displays original paintings of Raja Ravi Varma, Svetlova and Nicholas Roerich; exquisite works from the Rajput, Mughal and Tanjore schools of art in India as well as paintings from China, Japan, Tibet and Bali. |
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Sree Chithra Enclave
This museum depicts the history of the Travancore Royal Family and displays their personal belongings and artefacts. Old newspaper footage and deeds describing events are also exhibited. |
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Tea Museum Munnar
Houses curious, photographs and machineries, each depicting a turning point that contributed to a flourishing tea industry, as seen today in the region. |
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Teak Museum Nilambur
A house to the treasures of historical, aesthetic and scientific aspects of Teak. |
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Thakazhi Museum Smritimandapam
This museum-cum-memorial hall is dedicated to the memory of the late Thakazhi Sivasankaran Pillai |
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The Bishops House
Houses precious artefacts collected from various churches under the Cochin diocese. |
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University Observatory
Located at the highest point in the city, near the Museum complex 60 metres above sea level, one can have a bird's eye view of the city from here. |
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Vizhinjam Marine Aquarium
Houses a rich treasure of marine wealth has perfected the Image Pearl production technique, by which a mould of any shape made of shell cement is implanted into the pearl oyster. |
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Zoological Park
A reptile house with different species of snakes and a vulture house are also located within the premises. |
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