Napier Museum
March 26, 2010 by admin
Filed under Napier Museum
Napier Museum – Trivandrum
Napier museum is erected on a hill, surrounded by a panoramic garden is situated at the heart of the capital city Thiruvananthapuram. This museum dates back to early 1874 and it is one of the premium examples of a fusion of Kerala architecture and colonial style of architecture. Napier Museum is the oldest museum in Kerala and also in India.
It is a symmetrical two – storied building, with entrances from four chief directions and a gallery on the first floor. The roof is of timber and tile with projecting porches. The bright colour decoration of the wall in red, white, black and green is typical of the early 19th century beautification. So also, the roof profile, the carved balconies supported on the wooden brackets makes this building distinctive among the structures built at that time. The stone latticework gives a continuous airflow, which makes for natural air – conditioning and comfortable interiors.
Another observable architectural feature is the Oriel window. Designed by the British architect and painter Robert Fellowes Chisholm, this outstanding museum was named after John Napier, the then governor of Madras Presidency. There are uncountable antiques in the museum and a 400 years old clock.