Paliam Palace is a 450-year-old historic house located in Chendamangalam, Kerala that was formerly the residence of the Paliath Achans, who served as prime ministers to the Maharajas of Kochi. It is an architectural blend of Kerala and Dutch styles, featuring a colonnaded entrance, carved stone pillars, and a steep sloping roof. The three-story building was used both as a residence and for conducting official palace business, with spaces for living, meetings, and an address area from the prime minister's balcony. It highlights the hybridization of local and colonial influences on Kerala architecture.

1. PALIAM PALACE
CHENDAMANGALAM, KERALA

2. LOCATION
Chendamangalam
Paravoor Taluk,
Ernakulam district
State of Kerala, India.

3. OVERVIEW
• Paliam Palace is a 450 years old
house and one of the architectural
splendors of Kerala which used to be
the residence area of Paliath Achans
the Prime Ministers of Maharajas of
Kochi.
• It is located in Chendamangalam town
of Kerala and houses collection of
historic documents and relics. It is a
great Muziris Heritage Site. During
Portuguese invasions, the ministers
have shifted the King to this place
who then used to live here.

4. PROXIMITY
01
Paliam Palace is located at the village of
Chendamangalam which is in the of district of
Ernakulam in the state of Kerala, India.
02
03
04
SALIENT
FEATURES
GEOGRAPHY
Nearest railway station: Aluva, about 19 km
and Ernakulam, about 31km. Nearest airport:
Cochin International Airport, about 22 km.
DEMOGRAPHY
The Chendamangalam Census Town has population
of 29,326 of which 14,153 are males while 15,173 are
females as per report released by Census India 2011.
RELIGION AND
CULTURE
It is a meeting place of cultural diversity. Jews,
Christians, Muslims, and several of the distinct
Hindu castes lived here harmoniously.

5. RAINFALL
01
Ernakulam has a tropical wet and dry climate.
The average annual temperature is 26.5 °C.
March is the warmest month of the year.
02
03
CLIMATE AND
TOPOGRAPHY
TEMPERATURE
High amount of precipitation is receiving mainly
due to the southwest monsoon. July is the
wettest month. The annual rainfall is 2882 mm
SOIL TYPE
Lateritic soil is the most predominant soil type of the
district. Alluvium and Hydromorphic saline soils are
also found in the areas surrounding the backwaters.

6. HISTORY
1757-
1776
1632
The Paliath Achans were hereditary
prime ministers to the Maharajah of
Kingdom of Cochin (Kerala) from
1632 to 1809 and second only to the
Maharajah in power and wealth in
the central Cochin area during that
period.
01
The Zamorin invaded Cochin
in 1757. Due to the diplomatic
efforts of the Paliath Achan,
the Kingdom of Cochin was
saved. During Hyder Ali's
conquest of the south of India
in 1776, the Paliath Achan
was able to effect a treaty
between Hyder Ali and the
Cochin Raja.
1654-
1684
02
Komi Achan, I resisted the
attempts by the Portuguese to
impose their power on the Cochin
Family. He also supported the
Dutch against the Portuguese. In
recognition of his efforts, the
Dutch built him a palace (the
Kovilakam) at Chendamangalam.
Paliath Govindan Achan was
the last Paliath Achan to
occupy the position of Prime
Minister in the Kingdom of
Cochin. Achan engaged the
British East India Company
troops in battle and was
defeated.
1779-
1825
03 04

7. This Kovilakam was
meant solely for the
residence of Valiyachan
(Eldest Achan) of Paliam.
The two buildings nearby
were used as his offices.
Achan held court with
people and listened to
their complaints in the
Durbar Hall at the eastern
end of the first floor. Here,
he received his subjects
and officials.
Building usage
ARCHITECTURAL
CHARACTER
• The architectural style of Paliam
Kovilakam is a hybrid of Kerala and
Dutch styles. Dutch Colonial is a style of
domestic architecture, It is known for its
distinctive gambrel roofs, overhanging
eaves, Dutch doors, and heavy use of
natural materials.
• Traditional architecture’ could include
anything for which there is a tradition;
grand palaces designed for a social
elite, down to the humblest vernacular
styles.

8. SETTING OF THE
PALIAM PALACE
• After the refreshing sail across the Periyar
River with the view of the trees trying to dip
their heads in the waves, the boat slowly
docks at Chendamangalam in Paravur.
• The heritage boat ride from Kottappuram that
traces the spice routes followed by traders
clears the haze and connects the dots that
are intricately woven into our heritage.

9. The Paliam Palace is located in
Chendamangalam, Paravur, in a very
strategic setting in such a way that it is not
easily spotted. It is part of a much larger
Paliam Complex, with several structures,
water tanks, and temples. The palace is a
three- story building. Until the beginning of
the 20th century, these were the tallest
structures in the vicinity. The early 17th
century Dutch colonial period is a good
example of the use of porches introduced in
the art of Kerala.
SITE
ELEMENTS

10. THE PALIAM
PALACE
GATEWAY
The Paliam Palace gateway stands tall, with a
promenade outstretched and rows of lamps welcoming
visitors inside. The gateway has an arched wooden
opening which denotes the confluence of cultures into
Kerala architecture.
The upper floor of the entrance passage was the Durbar
Hall, where the prime ministers addressed the people of
Chendamangalam on the Prasanga Peedam. The
entrance of Paliam Palace is wider and the door frame is
rectangular. The Paliyam palace is enriched with Dutch
architecture.

11. THE
COLONNADED
OF PALIAM
PALACE
The gateway leads to a colonnaded covered veranda
with an elephant sculpture in the center that welcomes
visitors into the transition space before they enter the
palace. The space is supported by beautifully carved
stone pillars on either side.
The pillars of the building resemble temple architecture.
In these structures, stone pillars are used in the outer
porch and wooden pillars are used in the interior.
However, the pillars of the palace have more carvings on
the head.

12. The Spatial
Arrangement of the
Paliam Palace
The two-story Paliam Palace is a hybrid of
Kerala and Dutch architecture. Since the
building was used as the residence of the
elder most male members of the family for
official purposes, it mainly had office rooms
and the Durbar Hall. Apart from the official
spaces, there was a small kitchen,
storerooms, and two large bedrooms, which
were used by Valya Achan (the Prime
Minister) and the King of Cochin on the first
and second floors, respectively. There is no
nadumuttam, or central courtyard, in the
palace.

13. The ground floor of the palace begins at the entrance
colonnaded passage, or the Poomukham, which acts as a
transition space between the public and private spheres. It
further leads to the drawing room, where guests can be invited
into the palace. There was a staircase from the drawing room
and a main staircase that could be accessed from both the
outside and the drawing room.
GROUND FLOOR PLAN

14. GROUND FLOOR
It can be said that the stairs in the palace are more
magnificent. This staircase is of Dutch style with almost no
incline. The staircase here is also placed inside the building.
In most of the contemporary constructions, steps are placed
in the outer verandas. It is one of the earliest examples of
the “dog legged” pattern of stairs in Kerala architecture.

15. The first floor was Valya Achan’s space and consisted of a
living room, the minister’s bedroom, and a Durbar Hall. The
semi-open hall was used to discuss important decisions
with other ministers and the King. The King’s balcony from
the second floor also meets at the Durbar Hall, which is
supported by carved wooden planks on either side.
FIRST FLOOR PLAN

16. FIRST FLOOR
The Prasanga Peedam is at
the edge of the Durbar Hall,
where the Achan addressed
the public. The bedroom is
raised at a plinth’s height and
has three windows; one of
them was used for the
mechanical fan called the
Panka that was operated from
outside with a rope by a
Pankunni. A wide veranda
circumscribes the first floor,
which allows easy access to
all parts of the floor and
insulates the interior.

17. The second floor was the space believed to have been used
by the King of Kochi to avert the Portuguese troops. The
staircase lands at the living room, which has a balcony
facing Durbar Hall. The room doesn't have a veranda but
has plenty of windows that facilitate ventilation within.
SECOND FLOOR PLAN

18. SECOND FLOOR

19. ROOF
The roof of the building is made of
wood in traditional architectural style.
However, the difference in their
shape and inclination gives them a
special feature. The roof of the
pallium palace has an inclination of
33 degrees (X/3) like a normal roof.
At the top of the palace, you can see
the Dutch- style roof inclined at 60
degrees.
ARCHITECTURAL
FEATURES

20. WINDOWS
All the windows in the palace are
rectangular. It should be assumed
that most of the decorative patterns
is originated in the colonial period.
Types of windows including
casement, louvered and sash
windows for ground floor, first floor
and second floor respectively
DOORS
Doors in the palace are wider
and have a ventilator on top. All
are made of wood and have
relatively little metalwork.
WALL
The walls of both the buildings
are 73 cm wide. Such colossal
walls are usually used for
buildings that require greater
enclosure. The thick walls with
splayed openings bear
testimony to the Dutch
influence

21. ASPECTS OF
ITS MAKING
CLIMATIC
ASPECTS
THERMAL ASPECTS: The interior
spaces are well protected from the
direct exposure to solar radiation
with the help of well-planned buffer
spaces. They help in reducing heat
along with the thicker exterior wall.
WATER SYSTEM: The network of
the ponds at different places on the
land together with the river Periyar,
Form a dispersed system of water
storage and moisture conservation.
SLOPING ROOF: A character
feature is the long sloping steep roof
which protects the walls, withstand
heavy monsoon, and ensures
proper rainwater drainage. The roof
along with the attic space below
ensures less penetration of solar
radiation into the living spaces.
AIR FLOW: To keep indoors cooler
during hot days a circulation channel
runs through the inner parts,
insulating the interior. So, the inner
portions are cooler than peripheral
areas. The internal transition spaces
play an important role in contouring
the indoor environment.
PLINTH HEIGHT: The plinth height
of the building is at considerable
height in order to protect the
structure from dampness, insects,
and flooding during rain.

22. MATERIAL ASPECTS
• LATERITE: Owing to the thick, porous laterite walls which act as
insulating barriers. The interiors of the house remain cool
irrespective of the outside climate.it is locally available and cheap.
Used in wall construction. With greater atmospheric pressure and
exposure, it become durable.
• FLOORING:
• CLAY TILE: They are durable and can withstand fire. It is insect
resistant. This durability makes them not only structurally reliable
but attractive for many years. Made from hard laterite. Clay
absorbs around 5 degrees Celsius of heat.
• CEMENT FLOORING: clay tile flooring was black oxide flooring
during conservation. It provides a cool

23. MATERIAL ASPECTS
• WOOD: locally available material which helps in providing better
insulation.
• TEAK: being the highest grade of timber, it is used in columns
and ornamentation. Although soft core makes it unsuitable for
construction. Its high oil content helps to keeps the pests away.
• ROSEWOOD: It is more expensive compared to teak wood and
it is used in furniture and roof structure. It has more oil content but
easily disintegrated in contact with cement mortar.
ROOFING
The roof has two kinds of tiles. If the tiles inside are in
Dutch style, the outer layer is our traditional brick-colored
tile. They are durable and can withstand wind and rain.
Made from hard laterite. Clay absorbs around 5 degrees
Celsius of heat.

24. WALLS, ARCHES AND FLOORING:
Thick walls using laterite bricks.
They are bonded together with lime
mortar and plastered with lime. A
road bearing arched doorway is
seen at gateway. cement flooring
with coating of black oxide.
COLUMNS: Stone and wooden
load bearing columns resting on
stone bases are seen in most
places.
STABILITY: Materials used are
from lightest to bulkiest. For better
structural stability, Laterite at lower
level and teak and rosewood for
roofing systems.
ROOFING SYSTEM: Beams on
either side to support the sloped
roof. Clay tiles are arranged over
battens on rafter held together by
the ridge and collar ties which
transfer load vertically.

25. GROUND FLOOR
For the Poomukham, the walls had patches of flaking paint along the lower edges of the Thinnai platform and
some discoloration on the columns due to rising dampness from the ground. At the same time, the paint was
also flaking on the stone surface of the columns, and major renovations were done for the walls. The flooring
had minor cracks, and a vertically running crack was observed on the columns from the roof. Thus, the
cement plaster is replaced by lime, and the rainwater is drained away from the ground to avoid further
dampness. The columns' paint was stripped away to reveal the original stone surface.
The ceiling of the drawing room had white patches on the beams due to water seepage and termite attacks.
Additional supports were given for the timber beams as they weren’t stable. To tackle this issue, the paint is
removed by a flame method, where the heat of the torch flame melts it away. Termite-damaged stairs are
repaired locally because it is less expensive than replacing them with new planks. The hinges that were
damaged by rising dampness have been replaced with brass ones.
BEFORE AND DURING THE CONSERVATION OF PALIAM PALACE
Like most heritage buildings in Kerala, Paliam Palace also went through major renovations that failed to
understand the importance of preserving the ancient aesthetics of the architecture and not just the form of the
palace. As a result, it was repainted in colors that did not match the original tonality of the building. The paint
flaked from stone surfaces and wood, and termite attacks were common. The frequent rains in the area further
aggravated the situation. Thus, the archival records and photographs of the palace had to be studied before
initiating the conservation process.

27. FIRST FLOOR
For the Durbar Hall, the flooring had patches of discolouration and cracks due to sun
exposure. Thus, the existing floor tiles were replaced with red oxide flooring. Due to
dampness and termite attack, the timber columns had surface-level cracks and holes
with bulging. Thus, it is rectified by giving timber members anti-termite treatment.
In the minister’s room, there was a minor crack from the top of the lintel to the ceiling,
which caused leakage. As a result, the roof was repaired and given anti-termite
treatment. The deteriorated shutters were repaired by a skilled craftsman.

29. SECOND FLOOR
The railing on the second-floor balcony was not stable, with paint flaking. The
pillars also had vertical cracks and needed to be strengthened. Thus, the railing
members had to be dismantled and a timber finish had to be provided. The living
room window frames were damaged and had to be replaced or repaired,
depending on the intensity of the impairment. The passage floor was changed to
cement flooring and had to be replaced with wooden flooring.

30. AFTER CONSERVATION OF
PALIAM PALACE
The conservation process has successfully brought back the
traditional architecture of Kerala, which was slowly fading away.
The structure was revitalized by changing the color of the walls
and exposing the underlying texture of stone and timber.

31. SWOT ANALYSIS
O
• Abundance of artists in
Chendamangalam
• Window to the past
• Proximity to other Muziris
projects
STRENGTH
S
SWOT
W
T
• Self-sufficient.
• Old world charm
• Use of vernacular materials
• Construction techniques
• Expensive to maintain
• Diminishing administrative power
• Privacy
• Access to the site
• Funds
• modernization
WEAKNESS
OPPORTUNITY THREATS

32. 01
02
03
INFEERENCE FROM THE
STUDY
The design is such that visually integrated with the surrounding site. The architecture of the Palace
lays prime emphasis on the climatic and traditional principles of planning the use of vernacular
materials and the climate responsive nature of the structure has helped it survive through various
stages of its expansion.
The architecture of the Paliam Palace paints a picture of an aristocratic life and the luxury gifted to
them for their power. From the grandiosity of the palace, one can easily understand how their
strength could have molded society. The story could be depicted from a positive point of view, where
their diplomacy saved the kingdom from major threats.
Meanwhile, one fails to notice the other side where they oppressed the lower caste, which led to the
birth of Paliyam Satyagraha and ultimately their fall. Thus, the public must be educated about both
sides so as to understand every dimension of the past and its relation to the present.
Paliam palace being a classic example of a Nair homestead. It is a self-sustained complex where the
traditional aspects within a Nair abode are reflected the architectural arrangement of spaces is such
that the cultural functions of various spaces are satisfied.
04

33. CONCLUSION
 Today, Paliam palace has been declared as a Muziris Heritage
Museum and is the home for many artifacts. Muziris is a box of
treasures that hasn’t revealed its full picture and longs to be unearthed
and woven into the existing story of the lost city.
 Until the whole story presents itself, one can only perceive the marks
left behind on the walls and the whispered stories of the cultures that
prevail. This structure has been built to epitomize the science of
Ventilation. Such buildings that have unique energy about them have
increasingly rare in the recent years.
 The two storey (G+2) building can be termed as a highly efficient
functional building of its times. In spite of minimum ornamentation, it
reflects the Dutch influence in the architecture. The building features
elaborately carved wooden staircases and balustrades and thick walls
with splayed openings.
 A circulation space runs along the private area of the building,
facilitating air movement, resulting in insulating the interior, making it
cooler compared to the peripheral. In earlier times, women were not
allowed inside. Only the elder members of the family could stay there.
 The Paliath Achans used to address the people of Chendamangalam
from the Prasanga Peedum, which is on the top of the entrance
passage of the Palace.

34. Thank you