Kuthiramalika Palace

On the south-eastern side of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple lies this quaint two-storied palace built by the former King of Travancore - Swathi Thirunal Balarama Varma, known to be a poet, musician and social reformer. The name of the palace means ‘palace of horses’ and is derived from the 122 wooden horses carved into the wall brackets that support the structure’s southern roof. The style of architecture featured here is quite unique to the Travancore, heavily dependent on wood and stone. Materials like teakwood, rosewood, granite and marble can be noticed all around the palace with carved marble Kathakali statues, Belgian mirror work, Bohemian chandeliers, ivory thrones and a collection of oil paintings from the past.

The materials used in architecture style were made available thanks to the rich trading history that the state of Kerala had with other ports around the world. Visiting this palace takes you back to the bygone era and with the help of local guides, you can immerse yourself in the rich heritage and cultural value that the Kuthiramalika Palace holds. 

Location: Thiruvananthapuram
Distance from the hotel: 14 km
Distance from the airport: 4 km
Driving time: 23 minutes