Monuments and Palaces of Kerala

Bekkal Fort
The largest and the best-preserved fort in Kerala, Bekkal Fort, in Kasarkode, is 16 km south on the National Highway. The beautiful Bakkel beach with the historic and archaeologically significant fort in the background is now being developed, into an international tourist destination.

Earlier it was part of the kingdom of Ikkiri Naiks, provincial rulers of the Vijayanagara Empire.It became part of the Vijayanagar Empire. In the late 18th century Tipu Sultan captured it. An old mosque near the fort is believed to have been built by the Mysore forces. After the British overthrew him, the fort came under the East India Company.

Guruvayur Thrissur is a good base for a pilgrim trip to Guruvayur, 32 kms away. It is among India's most important pilgrimage centres and is also known as the Dwaraka of the South. The Sree Krishna Swamy Temple, which attracts thousands of pilgrims is said to date prior to the 16th century. Tradition has it that Guru-the preceptor of the Devas, and Vayu-the Lord of the Winds created the temple.

The temple is dedicated to Krishna known here as Guruvayurappan or the Lord of Guruvayur, the extreme grounds of Punnathur Kotta near Guruvayoor houses the elephants of Guruvayoor temple.The building was once the palace of a provincial chieftain Punnathur Nambidi

Padmanabhapuram Palace
Though located at Thuckalai in Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu, (65 kms south of Thiruvananthapuram) this former palace of Travancore is a splendid example of Kerala architecture. It is a protected monument of the Kerala State Archaeology Department. The palace is noted for its excellent wood architecture and murals.

Nedumangad Palace
This 18th century palace known as Koikkal Kottaram is situated about fourteen Kms from Thiruvananthapuram at Nedumangad.The palace today houses a folklore museum and a numismatic museum as well.

The Churches ar Muttuchira (Kottayam)
Situated on the MC Road, between Vaikom and Kaduthuruthi, Muttuchira has an interesting conglomeration of three churches of different periods built in the same compound. These churches display distinctive features of the evolution of Church architecture in Keraa, the oldest of which is a typical example of Neo-Boroque style.