Table of Contents
Introduction
Victoria Memorial Kolkata – Nestled in the heart of Kolkata, Victoria Memorial is a stunning monument that portrays the city’s rich history and cultural heritage. The magnificent structure stands tall as a tribute to Queen Victoria and has become one of India’s most iconic landmarks. From its intricate architecture to the vast collection of artifacts and paintings, there’s no denying that this place has captured the hearts and minds of locals and tourists alike. So, if you’re planning a trip to Kolkata anytime soon, here’s everything you need to know about Victoria Memorial – timings, history, entry fee, images, built by & information – all in one place!
Victoria Memorial Kolkata History
The Victoria Memorial is a large marble building in Kolkata, West Bengal, India, which was built between 1906 and 1921. It is dedicated to the memory of Queen Victoria (1819–1901) and is now a museum and tourist destination under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture.
The memorial sits on 64 acres (26 ha) of land. The gardens are open to the public from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, except on Mondays when they are closed.
The architect of the Victoria Memorial was William Emerson (1843–1924), who later designed many other landmarks in Kolkata including the General Post Office and the Indian Museum. The design is in the Indo-Saracenic Revival style which employs a mixture of British and Mughal elements with Venetian, Egyptian, Deccani and Islamic influences.
The foundation stone was laid by Prince George, Duke of Cambridge (the second son of King Edward VII), on 4 February 1906; however, construction did not begin until 1911 because Emerson’s original design was deemed too expensive to build. The building is 198 feet (60 m) by 156 feet (48 m) and rises 113 feet (34 m). It houses 25 galleries spread over two floors that display paintings, sculptures, metalware, manuscripts etcetera related to the life and times of Queen Victoria as also objects associated with British Raj.
Victoria Memorial Kolkata Location
Victoria Memorial is a large marble building in Kolkata, West Bengal, India, is now a museum and tourist destination under the control of the Ministry of Culture.
The memorial lies on the Maidan, near Jawaharlal Nehru Road (formerly known as Upper Circular Road). It sits on 64 acres (26 hectares) of land surrounded by well-tended gardens with fountains. The gardens include numerous flower beds forming cross shapes in lawns. The symmetrical building has an imposing dome at its center, which is 195 feet (59 meters) high surrounded by four turrets.
Inside the memorial there are many paintings of famous British personalities such as Lord Curzon, Florence Nightingale, Rudyard Kipling and Charles Cornwallis amongst others. There are also busts of important Indian figures such as Dadabhai Naoroji, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar and Rabindranath Tagore.
Victoria Memorial Timings
As of my knowledge cutoff date of September 2021, the Victoria Memorial in Kolkata, India, was open to the public every day from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, except on Mondays and national holidays. However, please note that the opening and closing timings may have changed since then, so it’s best to check the official website or contact the authorities for the most up-to-date information.
Victoria Memorial Entry Fee
The entry fee for the Victoria Memorial in Kolkata, India, is different for Indian nationals and foreigners. As of my knowledge cutoff date of September 2021, the entry fee for Indian nationals was Rs. 30, while foreign nationals had to pay Rs. 500. Also, please note that entry fees may have reformed since then, so it is best to check the official website or contact the authorities for the most up-to-date info.
How to reach?
The memorial is on the Maidan (ground) by the Hooghly River near Jawaharlal Nehru Road (formerly called Upper Circular Road).
The Victoria Memorial in Kolkata, India is a popular tourist attraction and is easily accessible by various modes of transport. Here is how to get to the Victoria Memorial by different modes of transport:
By Bus:
The Victoria Memorial Kolkata is well served by buses and several bus routes stop near the memorial. You can take any of the local buses that go to Maidan or the Esplanade and then walk or take a rickshaw to the Victoria Memorial.
By Car/Taxi:
You can also reach the Victoria Memorial by car or taxi. You can hire a taxi or hire a car from any part of Kolkata and ask the driver to take you to Victoria Memorial. There is parking available at the monument, where you can park your car or taxi.
By Train:
If you prefer to travel by train, you can take any local train that goes to Howrah or Sealdah station in Kolkata. From there, you can take a taxi or a bus to reach the Victoria Memorial.
By Flight:
Kolkata has an international airport, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport, which is well connected to major cities in India and across the world. From the airport, you can take a taxi or a bus to reach the Victoria Memorial.
To get to Victoria Memorial from Kolkata International Airport, Railway Station, Bus Stand, take a prepaid taxi from outside. You can also book through Four Wheel Drive India Pvt. Ltd Four Wheel Drive India Pvt. ltd. offers comfortable taxis and economical taxis with professional drivers.
Overall, the Victoria Memorial is easily accessible by various modes of transport, and you can choose the one that suits your convenience and budget.
Victoria Memorial Built By
The Victoria Memorial in Kolkata, India was built by Martin & Co., a Calcutta-based construction company. It was designed by Sir William Emerson, president of the British Institute of Architects. The Victoria Memorial in Kolkata, India was built in memory of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom. It was built to commemorate 25 years of Queen Victoria’s reign over India. It cost Rs. 10 million at the time for construction.
Conclusion
In short, the Victoria Memorial is a spectacular landmark, a must-see on any trip to Kolkata. It was built to honor the memory of Queen Victoria and is now a popular tourist attraction. It is open daily from sunrise to sunset and there is no entrance fee.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the Victoria Memorial in Kolkata, India:
The Victoria Memorial is a large marble building located in Kolkata, West Bengal, India. It was built in memory of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom and is currently a popular museum and tourist attraction.
The Victoria Memorial was built by Martin & Co., a Kolkata-based construction company. It was designed by Sir William Emerson, president of the British Institute of Architects.
As of the deadline of September 2021 as far as I know, the entry fee for Indian nationals was Rs. 30, while foreign nationals had to pay Rs. 500. However, please note that the entry fee may have changed since then, so it is best to check the official website or contact the authorities for the latest information.
As of the September 2021 deadline to my knowledge, the Victoria Memorial was open to the public daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., except Mondays and public holidays. However, please note that opening and closing times may have changed since then, so it is best to check the official website or contact the authorities for the most up-to-date information.
The Victoria Memorial is built in the Indo-Saracenic style, which combines Indian and European elements. The building is constructed of white Makrana marble and is surrounded by gardens and water features. The central dome is 184 feet high and topped with a statue of Victory. The memorial also contains a number of smaller domes and spiers.
The Victoria Memorial houses a museum which contains a large collection of paintings, sculptures and artifacts from the colonial period in India. Some of the collection highlights include portraits of Queen Victoria and other British monarchs, a collection of rare manuscripts, and a gallery of Indian art. The museum also has a collection of photographs and memorabilia from the life of Queen Victoria.
The Victoria Memorial is easily accessible by various modes of transport, such as bus, car, train and plane. You can take one of the local buses that go to Maidan or Esplanade, or hire a taxi or rent a car from any part of Kolkata. You can also take any local train that goes to Howrah or Sealdah station in Kolkata, or fly to Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport and then take a taxi or bus to reach the Victoria Memorial.
