About Padmanabhapuram Palace :
Located in a small village called Padmanabhapuram, at a distance of 65 kilometers from Trivandrum, Padmanabhapuram Palace is a magnificent palace that speaks volumes about the ancient architecture of Kerala. Padmanabhapuram palace is a place that should not be missed at any cost. The palace walls are adorned with ancient murals that date back to the 17th century. The ancient relics include royal seats with Chinese engravings, musical bow in mahogany, colored windows, beautifully painted and carved rosewood ceilings etc.The interiors of the palace are magnificent and give an idea of the royal life that one must have led in the palace. A big hall called the Durbar hall has shiny black flooring.
It may seem like a granite floor at a glance but in reality, the floor is made of a combination of jaggery, lime, burnt coconut, charcoal and river sand. This floor could not be duplicated again in any construction. The palace also has a secret underground escape route (now blocked), open air swimming pool, dance hall, massive paintings and idols of Indian Gods and Goddesses, carved figurines carrying lamps, etc. There is also a unique stonewall that is held together till date without the use of mortar. The palace bears testimony to the architectural excellence reached in this region and commands admiration and awe from the visitor. The exact year of the construction of the fort is shrouded in mystery and it is believed that the fort was built in 1601 A.D. As you enter the Padmanabhapuram palace, a brass lamp hanging from the magnificently carved wooden ceiling greets you. It is interesting to note that the ceiling of the palace has 90 varieties of flowers. A17th century black bed of seven granite stones is housed in the hall of the Padmanabhapuram palace. The walls of the Padmanabhapuram palace have wooden planks, which depict "Anantasyana", Lord Vishnu in reclining posture.