MUZIRIS HERTIAGE PROJECT

MUZIRIS HERITAGE PROJECT

         

          The Muziris Heritage Project,a unique tourism and heritage conservation project linking monuments in the area surrounding the bygone 2000-year old muzirisport,will be opened to the public on February,2011.

          The project which would include parts of North Paravur and Kodungalloor municipalites and seven grama panchayats,would be a unique tourism project in the country.By march,four museums,Palian Nalukeetu,Paliam Kovilakam(Dutch Palace),the Paravur Synagogu and Chendamengalam synagogue, are expected to let in visitors. Some of the monuments on the way would be. Pallipuram Fort, Vyppikota seminary, Holy cross church,the newly discovered jewish cemetery and Kottayil Kovilakam. The Kottappuram Fort will also be opened to the public. The Union Tourism  ministry has allocated Rs 40 crore for the muziris Heritage Tourism circuit. Kerala government has been declared as the first green project. Some 19 government agencies and departments are involved in the project.

          Due of the major attractions of the project is the archaeological excations at pattanam,believed to be the ancient town that acted as a back up to the muziris port,which was located close to kodungalloor. The muziris tourism circuit includes not only the remnauts of muziris and pattanem,but also monuments from the Dutch,Portuguese and English colonial periods. the project is also envisaged as a non formal academic site for the study of kerala history,archaeology, folklore etc.

Prof.JohnKurakar