Napier Museum was established by the ruler of
Travancore in 1855. It features Kerala,
Mughal, Chinese and Italian styles of architecture. A natural air conditioning system keeps the museum pleasant in any weather.
The museum houses a rare collection of archaeological and historic artifacts, bronze idols, ancient ornaments, a temple chariot, ivory carvings and life-size Kathakali figures in full array. The figurines preserve here amply illustrate the varying features of South-Indian sculpture from the 8th to 18th century.
Napier Museum forms part of the attractions within the Museum premises at Thiruvananthapuram such as the Sree Chitra Art Gallery, Thiruvananthapuram Zoo and Natural History Museum.