Victoria Memorial

The undisputed monarch of the architectural edifices and tourist attractions that Kolkata abounds is undoubtedly the stately Victoria Memorial. Resplendent in pristine white, the building, built towards the end of the British Raj’s tenure in India, highlights architectural splendor at its zenith.

The proposal for the building and the classical architecture style was Lord Curzon’s brainchild but the mastermind architect Sir William Emerson was responsible for the blueprint of the basic design and layout. The building represents the ornate English architecture with a slight Indian tinge that was very common in the buildings of London in those days. The architect’s creative genius was inspired by the layout of the Belfast City Hall.

As the name signifies, Victoria Memorial was built as a tribute to Queen Victoria, the then “Empress of India”, to mark her death. Victoria Memorial, all dressed up in its imperial grandeur, is one of the majestic landmarks that draw myriads of locals and tourists for sightseeing.

The erstwhile princes of the various states in India provided the funds for this impressive edifice. Victoria Memorial houses a grand museum that showcases the portraits of those who played a monumental role in shaping India’s future. The building is located amidst sprawling acres of well-tended lawns and gardens. It also contains a sparkling lake that gleams like a mirage of quicksilver under the saffron sunbeams.

Victoria Memorial is a popular haunt for morning walkers, families as well young couples looking for a safe refuge. Another attraction of visiting the majestic edifice is the quaint horse drawn carriages that take tourists reminiscent of the days of the Raj.