Napier Museum – a Landmark of Importance and Striking Architecture

Kerala is a state located towards the south westernfountain guides you to the Napier Museum. Instantly
part of the Indian peninsula. This culturally prosperousyour eyes will capture its captivating facade adorned
state boasts a rich history spanning up to the Neolithicwith vibrant geometric motifs spanning across its walls.
era, where some of the dolmens have beenThe building features gothic gabled roofs where the
excavated. Dolmens are single chamber tombcentral roof is flanked by two turrets adding extra
structures made of megaliths, hefty stones. Oftenelegance to its overall charisma. This building is a key
dolmens are comprised of three or more verticallandmark in Trivandrum while being exalted as an
megaliths, capped horizontally by another bulky stone.architectural masterpiece. It was designed by the
Kerala is home to a number of interesting museumsrenowned British architect Robert F. Chisholm who
themed on scores of disciplines varying from heritageworked as the consulting architect for the Madras
to art and history to science. There are also museumsGovernment.
based on royal palaces flaunting mesmerizingNapier Museum's interior collection is just as impressive
architecture and artistry housing alluring artefacts.as its exterior elegance. Here you can browse through
Kerala also presents a unique museum promoting artsome of the finest artistic artefacts like bronze and
and natural history. This is the famous Napier Museumstone sculptures as well as ivory and wood carvings.
resting in Kerala's capital, Trivandrum. .There are also traditional musical instruments over and
Napier Museum and its Art Gallery rest in the heart ofabove handicrafts, lamps and textiles. Among Indian
Trivandrum City. It was founded in 1855 byclassical dancing, Kathakali is considered as a highly
Travancore's Maharaja. Travancore used to be astylised dancing form and the Napier Museum even
princely state of Kerala, governed from Trivandrum byboasts a collection of Kathakali models.
the royal family of Travancore from mid 19th centuryFor those who are fond of collecting coins, the
to mid 20th century. In 1874 this building was broughtmuseum's numismatic collection showcasing coins of
down and the foundation stone was placed for a newseveral Indian dynasties will be irresistible. If you are
building to rise from the same site. The second buildingfascinated by ancient weaponry, the museum displays
was completed in 1880 and was named after thesome of the best kuftgiri works. They are usually
previous Governor General of Madras, John Napier.daggers and swords ornately worked in gold and silver
A palm lined path, stairway and then an ornatewire.