Serenading with art

The beautiful structure was built under the architectural guidance of Robert Fellowes Chisholm. Kerala architecture had enamoured him and so he wanted to mesh the designs of foreign influences into the main frame. This is how the museum’s unique Indo-Saracenic structure was completed and reopened in 1880 by King Ayilyam Thirunal. It is easily recognisable with its Gothic roofs and minarets, and other architectural styles like Indo-Islamic and Indian, and elements reminiscent of Mughal, Italian and Chinese influences.

The exterior of the museum has geographic brickwork patterns, hewn stone bricks at the corners, and burnt bricks for the walls. Stained glass windows and four imposing watch towers are the building's distinct style. Each pillar reflects Kerala’s rich architectural legacy. As you walk in you will find three main halls connected by corridors and decorated with creatively painted arches in hues of light blue, yellow, and red. The architecture of the building was so designed that the natural air conditioning effect is achieved through double-wall ventilation and sliding. Intricate wooden beams and panels, hand-painted with floral designs and supported by wooden corbels shaped like mythical creatures, also add to the aesthetic richness of the space.

A visit to the Napier Museum is a journey through time where you can witness age-honoured traditions of Kerala’s architecture and the meticulous craftsmanship of its people. This architectural gem invites all who enter to traverse the corridors of history and appreciate the confluence of art and architecture in one of India's oldest museums.