Nyle Plaza
Chinese Fishing Net: The entrance to the Kochi harbour is dotted by the Chinese Fishing Nets, called Cheena Vala in Malayalam. These huge cantilevered fishing nets are the legacy of one of the first visitors to the Malabar Coast. They were first brought to Kerala by the Chinese traders from Kublai Khan\'s court. These are large nets, which hang from bamboo or teak posts and are still used by local fishermen in Fort Kochi to catch fish attracted by the lights suspended above the nets. Silhouetted against the sunset, they present a spectacular sight of Kochi\'s waterfront.
Bolgatty Island: Dutch built Bolgatty palace in 1744 at this island surrounded by backwaters. Later it became the seat of the British Resident of Kochi. For the people of Kochi, Bolgatty Island is an ideal place to unwind. Now, the palace is functioning as a heritage hotel run by KTDC with small honeymoon cottages. The grounds have a small golf course and several vantage points for lovely views of the harbour and the sea. Dutch Palace Open from 10 A.M. to 5 P.M. Closed on Fridays and National Holidays.
Photography: Prohibited.
Distance: 10 Kms from Ernakulam.
The Mattancherry palace or Dutch palace is situated in Mattancherry. It was originally built by the Portuguese in the mid-16th century. It was presented to the Raja Veera Kerala Varma of Kochi in 1555 and was later taken over by the Dutch, who improved it through extensions and repairs in 1663. Since then, it has come to be called the \'Dutch Palace\', though at no time did the Portuguese or the Dutch actually stay there. Today, it is the portrait gallery of the Kochi Rajas. In the centre of the palace is the Coronation Hall where the Kochi rajas held their coronations. On display here are the dresses, turbans, palanquins and weapons from that era. In the adjacent rooms are 17th century murals of mythological figures like Lord Shiva, Vishnu and Krishna as well as scenes from the Ramanayana, in the tradition of Hindu temple art. The floor of the palace reveals the unique traditional Kerala technique of achieving a polished black surface by combining egg white, coconut shell, charcoal and lime. Hill Palace Museum Timings 10 A.M .to 5 P.M. Closed on Mondays and National Holidays. The Hill Palace Museum, Tripunithura ,13 kms from Kochi, displays the erstwhile wealth and prosperity of the royal family of Kochi, including the king\'s throne and crown. Also on show are other trappings of royalty like majestic beds, paintings, carvings and samples of epigraphy. Differnt types of sculptures, collection of rare coins, old weapons and manuscripts in ancient lipis are shown here.
Tripunithura is also well known for the nearby Chottanikara Temple and the Tripunithura Temple Jew Town. This is an area of Jewish settlement close to the Synagogue. Itis a centre of spice trade and curio shops. Jewish Synagogue Open from 10 A.M. to 12 noon and 3 P.M. to 5 P.M. Closed on Saturdays and Jewish Holidays. Distance 11 Kms from Ernakulam. This oldest Synagogue in the common wealth was built in 1568 at Mattancherry by the prosperous Jewish trading community whose links with Kerala began in Kodungallore (Cranganore) in the north of the state. The Synagogue was destroyed during the Portuguese raid in 1662 and it was rebuilt by the Dutch two years later. In the mid 18th century, the clock tower was added and the floors paved with exquisite hand-painted blue willow tiles from China. No two tiles are alike. The interior offers more beautiful surprises: a Belgian chandelier, the great scrolls of the Old Testament, and the copper plates on which were recorded the grants of privilege made by the Kochi rulers to the Jewish community in the 4th century. There are also five finely wrought gold and silver crowns gifted to the synagogue by various patrons. The rabbi will normally give visitor a full account of the synagogue and the history of the Jews in Kerala. Although this ancient community of Kochi has now dwindled to a few families, strong elements of their culture and tradition as well as the Hebrew language remain in Jew Town, which is what the area surrounding the Mattancherry Synagogue has come to be called. The by-lanes that wind around Jew Town offer charming sights of houses built in Dutch, Portuguese, and British styles.
Parikshith Thampuran Museum Open: 9.30 A.M. to 12.30 P.M. and 3 P.M. to 5 P.M. Tel: 0484-369047. Closed on Mondays and National Holidays. The Parikshith Thampuran Museum is an archaeological museum adjacent to the Shiva Temple on Durbar Hall Road, Ernakulam. This is art lovers\' paradise where one can come across reproduced Oil paintings, Original oil paintings, prehistoric monuments, Old coins in a numismatic gallery, Sculptures in stone and Plaster of paris, Temple models, Copies of murals etc., and the collections from the Kochi royal family. A gallery of contemporary art is also functioning here.
Lalitha Kala Academy open 10 A.M. to 5 P.M. It is situated at the Durbar Hall ground on DH Road. The hall had been the Durbar of the Raja of Kochi.
Kerala History Museum Located at Edappally 8 km from the heart of Ernakulam, the Museum of Kerala History is the best place for a quick trip down the ancient lanes of Kerala\'s history. Greeting the visitor outside is a statue of Parasurama, the mythological sage, who is believed to have created Kerala. Important historical episodes from the Neolithic age to the modern era are depicted through life-size figures. A one hour recorded commentary (in English and Malayalam) for each scene offers a minor sound-and-light show.
A tangible vision of contemporary elegance and hospitality, Nyle Plaza aspires to provide the highest level of sophistication and service in a boutique environment.
Located at the gateway to Cochin City, our impeccably furnished rooms, multi cuisine restaurants, conference halls and other state-of-the-art facilities will meet all your leisure and business needs.
