Napier Museum / Govt. Art Museum, Trivandrum - Timings, History, Best Time to Visit

At a distance of about 3.5 km from Trivandrum Central Railway Station, the Napier Museum is an art and natural history museum situated in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. Also known as Government Art Museum, it is one of the popular museums in Kerala, and among the most prominent places of sightseeing in Trivandrum.

The museum was first established in 1855 but demolished in 1874 to lay the foundation for a new building, during the reign of Ayilyam Thirunal. The construction was completed in 1880 and was named after Lord Napier, the Governor of Madras from 1866-1872. Designed by Robert Chisholm, the consulting Architect of the Madras Government, the architectural style of the museum is a mix of Indian, Chinese, Kerala, and Mughal Schools of architecture.

Renowned for its fine collection of exhibits, the Napier Museum serves as a prime attraction of the city that one must visit during Trivandrum trip. It has a rare collection of archaeological and historic artifacts, ancient ornaments, bronze idols, ivory carvings, and a chariot. The Sree Chitra Art Gallery inside the Napier Museum features a rare collection of paintings by Raja Ravi Varma, celebrated Russian theosophist, Nicholas Roerich, specimens of Tanjore and Mughal art forms along with paintings from Japan, China, Bali, and Tibet. Besides, The museum houses Trivandrum Zoo, one of the oldest zoological gardens in India in its premises.

Timings: 10 AM - 4.45 PM from Thursday to Sunday, Wednesday: 1 PM to 4.45 PM, Closed on Mondays, January 26th, August 15th, Thiruvonam, and Mahanavami.

Entry: Rs 20 for Adults, Rs. 10 for Children