Kolkata

India

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Why Kolkata?

Beautiful Victorian style architecture

Known as the City of Joy and intellectual capital of India, Kolkata is famous for its people, culture, food, music, literature and the movies. Kolkata, earlier known as Calcutta, was established by the British in 1690 and remained there capital until 1911. Kolkata, without a doubt, marked a major turning point in the making of colonial India. The city retains some of India’s most iconic Victorian style architecture. It is the only city to have trams and is home to the country’s first underground railway. The city is associated with most of the Noble Prize winners produced by the country like Rabindranath Tagore and Mother Teresa.

Kolkata Highlights

Here we have selected a few of the sights and experiences that you really should see on a visit to Kolkata.

Kolkata, India

Victoria Memorial

Victoria Memorial Built between 1906 and 1921, Victoria Memorial is a white marbled beauty, which can rightly be called the epitome of grace and elegance. It was built by the then Viceroy of India, Lord Curzon in memory of Queen Victoria to celebrate her 25 years of rule over India. The building is designed in Indo-Saracenic revivalist style. The site looks breathtaking and marvellous, especially at night, when it is illuminated. The Son-et-Lumiere shows that take place in the evening are an added delight.

Kolkata, India

St John’s Church

St. John's Church, originally a cathedral, was among the first public buildings erected by the East India Company after Kolkata became the capital of British India. It is the third oldest church in Calcutta (Kolkata). The church served as the Anglican Cathedral of Kolkata till 1847 when it was transferred to St. Paul's Cathedral. The church was modelled according to the St Martin-in-the-Fields of London. It is a large square structure in the neoclassical architectural style and is home to an exquisite painting depicting the Last Supper, by 18th-century German artist Johann Zoffany.

Kolkata, India

Marble Palace

The Marble Palace was built in 1835 by Raja Rajendra Mullick, a wealthy Bengali merchant with a passion for collecting works of art. This marble house represents the Neo-classical style with imposing columns and open courtyards. Marble Palace is architectural masterpiece made up of Italian marble. The premises also include a garden, a rock garden, a lake and a small zoo. The Palace also has Jagannath temple within its premises, which is only accessible to members of the family who are also the current occupants of a portion in Marble Palace. The palace remains closed on Mondays and Thursdays.

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