Around 64 kms from Thiruvananthapuram lies the seat of the erstwhile rulers of Travancore, the Padmanabhapuram Palace. This masterpiece of indigenous Kerala architecture is located at Thuckalay, on the way to Kanyakumari. The wooden palace is well maintained and its murals, fabulous floral carvings and black granite floor continue to astound all who view it to this day. The interiors are beautiful relics with intricate rose carvings and sculptured decor. It has many murals dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries. The mahogany musical bow, windows of coloured mica, royal chairs with carvings from the Far East and the great 'Thaikkottaram', the Queen Mother’s palace with painted ceilings, all add a unique mysticism to the entire place.

Located right in the middle of the Padmanabhapuram Fort with the Veli Hills on the East, the palace was strategically placed keeping in mind the protection offered by the hills and the abundance of fertile farmland and water. Over 400 years old, it is considered to be the largest wooden palace in all of Asia.

Padmanabhapuram Palace served as a setting for many significant episodes associated with Travancore history. An important royal proclamation that abolished Mannapedi and Pulappedi was issued from Padmanabhapuram, in 1696. Around 1750 Anizham Tirunal Marthanda Varma (r.1729-1758) rebuilt the palace and the fort after which he submitted it to Sree Padmanabha Swamy, the tutelary deity of the royal family.