The former royal residence of the Cochin king Shakthan Thampuran, constructed in 1795 in an unusual hybrid of Kerala vernacular and Dutch colonial architecture. The palace now functions as a government museum displaying a collection of royal artefacts, weapons, bronze sculptures, wooden carvings, and historical photographs from the Cochin kingdom. The building itself is the main attraction — the traditional nalukettu (four-sided courtyard) design sits alongside Dutch-influenced exterior elements, reflecting the peculiar alliances of the Cochin rulers with the Dutch East India Company.
The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday and charges a small entry fee. The palace grounds are calm and tree-shaded, and the museum is rarely crowded. It is one of the few places in Thrissur where the history of the Cochin royal house — distinct from the more powerful Travancore and Calicut kingdoms — is given detailed attention.