The Napier museum so named after lord Napier, the governor of Madras presidency, was built in 1855 by the British of the madras presidency under whose suzerainty the travncore kingdom was during that period. The museum was rebuilt in 1872 and it is when the name was given. It located in current trivandrum city about 5 km from the railway station, the museum is of importance to the locals and often a attracts large crowds.
Most of the artifacts on display pertain to the collection from ancient India, including some from the region. the collection is not that vast. Some of the items on display include the different rock idols of mainly Vishnu that were used by travancore kings as well kings of the earleir dynasties in the reion including the venad kings and the cheras, there are also variousivory carvings. There are also artiafcts from the chinese south east asian and arabic cultures and even the british, people who have traded with the region. But overall the arrangment in not that good felt may be also due to the lack of many items.
But to add to the charm of the museum there is the Sri Chitra art gallery which houses the works the Raja ravi varma and a host of other Indian as well as European painters, which is part of the complex. The trivandrum zoo, the oldest in asia, is also part of the museum complex and is a good as well as large zoo. Added to this there is amble space around the museum that is adorned with gardens, a fountain and lawns, there are park benches and is regularly used by the locals for evening stroll as well as chit chat. Also the Kerala Science and Technology museum, which houses the Priyadarshini Planetarium is very nearby.
There entry to the museum has timing restrictions as well as the zoo. Monday and Wednesday forenoon as holidays for museum as well as art gallery and Monday for the zoo. The entry to zoo costs 10 rs and to museum and gallery 5 each. Entry to the museum ground is free as well as unrestricted. overall the museum complex with the range of attraction is apt for a one day tour/ picnic.