Napier Museum - नेपियर संग्रहालय (केरल)

Type of Museum Art and Natural History museum
Timing and Entry Timings: 0800-1800 hrs. Closed on Mondays and special holidays.
Entry free
Co-ordinates 8.509469, 76.955516
Nearby Cities Trivandrum
Location Trivandrum
State Kerala
Wikipedia Links http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Napier_Museum

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The Napier Museum is an art and natural history museum situated in Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum), the capital city of Kerala, India.

History


The museum was established in 1855. In 1874, the old Museum Building was demolished and foundation for the new building was laid. The new building was named after Lord Napier, the Governor of Madras from 1866-1872.

Design


The architectural masterpiece was designed by Robert Chisholm, the consulting Architect of the Madras Government and the construction was completed in 1880. Napier Museum is a landmark in the city with its unique ornamentation and architectural style with gothic roof and minarets. The Indo-Saracenic structure also boasts a natural air conditioning system.

Features


The museum houses a rare collection of archaeological and historic artifacts, bronze idols, ancient ornaments, a temple chariot and ivory carvings. It also contains the Sri Chitra Art Gallery, which contains works from Raja Ravi Varma and Nicholas Roerich, as well as examples of Mughal and Tanjore art.

The Museum grounds also hold a Zoological garden, which is one of the oldest in India. This Zoo was established in 1857 and is spread over 55 acres of land.

Napier Museum
Trivandrum
Kerala
Tel: 62275
Arts and crafts, ivory, lamps, musical instruments, paintings. Library, guide service, film shows daily exept Mondays from 1900-2030 hrs.
Timings: 0800-1800 hrs. Closed on Mondays and special holidays.
Entry free
Photography with prior permission.