A walk through Kerala’s rich heritage

Along with its scenic hill-stations, picturesque backwaters and serene beaches, Kerala also has a number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, monuments, and other structures. Many tourists come here in search of historical stories and sights. There are 170 protected monuments under the Kerala State Archaeological Department. Another important objective of the department is to find and preserve monuments of different eras. The state is famous for its palaces, forts, stone caves, tombs, shrines, and many other unique architectural features of Kerala. Here's some of the architectural wonders and monuments in Kerala that tells the tales of a rich foregone era:

Krishnapuram Palace

Krishnapuram Palace at Kayamkulam is an antique museum. You can see the statues from the Mohenjo-Daro period to Kerala’s prehistoric sculptures.

Bekal Fort

If you travel 8 km from Kanjangadu you can see one of the oldest historical marvels called Bekal Fort. Spread 30-40 acres across the shores of the Arabian sea, Bekal Fort is a true-blue architectural wonder.

St Francis Church

This church at Fort Kochi is considered one of the oldest historical monuments in Kerala. It is said that Portuguese Franciscan Saints built the church.

Edakkal Cave

Edakkal Cave is considered a gateway to history. The cave not only signified the beauty of Wayanad but also pointed toward the evolution of mankind. Stone age paintings and writings can be seen on the wall.

Bolgatty Palace

Bolgatty Palace is a Dutch palace. Today it is a heritage building owned by the Kerala Tourism Corporation.

Pazhassiraja’s tomb

Known as the Lion of Kerala, the tomb of Pazhassiraja is considered a heritage monument. It is situated on the shores of the Kabani river in Mananthavady.

Thalassery Fort

The Thalassery Fort at Kannur has a lot of historical stories to tell. The East India Company built this fort in 1703. The fort has a tunnel, a lighthouse and two underground chambers for storing spices.