The Kerala government today opened four museums under the Muziris Heritage Project which would give a glimpse of the bygone era of a "lost city" which played a crucial role in moulding the state's socio-politico culture.
The museums available for visitors are the Kerala History Museum, housed in the Paliam Kovilakam, Kerala Lifestyle Museum in Paliam Nalukettu, Kerala Jews Historical Museum housed in Paravur Synagogue and Kerala Jews Lifestyle Museum in Chendamangalam Synagogue.
All museums are equipped with video screens, touch screens and information panels to help the visitors understand the rich history of the region.
Kerala Tourism Director, S Harikishore, who opened the museums for public today, said the mega heritage project would be inaugurated after the completion of visitors centre, activity centre, convention and research centre and 'hop on-hop off' boat service, a press release here said.
"We decided to open the museums for public because we completed the conservation projects on time and deployed staff and guides in the museums," he said.
In addition to the museums, the people can also visit heritage sites like Pattanam, Paravur Market, Kottappuram Fort, Kottapuram Market, Cheraman Juma Masjid, Gothuruthu Performance Centre and Pallipuram Fort, he said.
Harikishore said the museums would remain open from 10 am to 5 pm on all days except Monday.
The Project is one of the biggest conservation projects in the modern history of India.
"It is because of this magnitude that both the Central and state governments have come together to conserve and showcase a culture of more than three millennia," Minister for Tourism A P Anil Kumar said.
"The project gives the people an opportunity to walk the same road once travelled by explorers and traders in ancient Muziris," he said.
Paliam Kovilakam was the residence of Paliath Achans, who were prime ministers to the erstwhile Maharajas of Kochi in the 16th century. An architectural wonder, with its carved stairways and balustrades, the Paliam Kovilakam is situated in Chendamangalam. The 18th century Paliam Nalukettu was where the female members and minor boys of the Paliam family lived.
The project site is spread across North Paravur in Ernakulam district and Kodungallur in Thrissur district with 12 panchayats.
