Victoria Memorial, Kolkata - A Complete Travel Guide

India is a land of rich history, culture, and diversity making it a perfect place for history and architecture geeks. You haven’t explored the true beauty of India till the time you visited the sweet land of Kolkata. Known for its food, architecture, and trade, the city has major tourist attractions.

The legendary Victoria Memorial is located in the heart of the city and is a testament to all things grandeur and magnificent. The white marble monument captivates every visitor and its arrangement is praiseworthy. Plan your trip to this north-western Beauty in India and explore the legendary stories of the British Era in its true glory at the Victoria Memorial.

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The rich history of Victoria Memorial

The monument takes you back to the year 1906 when the idea of building a palace was initiated by Lord Curzon. It took almost 15 long years to finish and by 1921 the Victoria Memorial became the residing place for officials and delegates. Designed as a fitting monument for Queen Victoria, the memorial served the Britishers for years.

The memorial was designed by the great architect William Emerson whose work is celebrated to date in the field. His idea of blending Indo-Saracenic and British styles was appreciated by the colonial Rulers and it was the open creative window he got that led to the beauty of this memorial.

Every element of the monument sings historical tunes making it interesting like no other. Unique patterns, perfectly designed halls, and a large garden all resembled the classic British style.

William Emerson’s unique work of art

Designed by the greatest British architect of the time, you can understand the hype only once you stand in front of this gigantic piece of art. The writing aims at providing you with an insight into the construction to make your trip even more interesting and enriching.

The gorgeous memorial representing Indo-Saracenic and British style is primarily constructed using marbles from the same Makrana quarry that designed marbles for the legendary Taj Mahal. The swan white marble adds to the beauty and engravings making Victoria Memorial an architectural pride of India.

As you step inside the complex you witness a splendid 62 acres area of garden that is kept maintained till date. The credit for creating one of the finest gardens of that time goes to renowned Scottish physician and botanist Sir David Prain and Lord Risdale. Their dedication to hand pick unique plants and flowers that not only enhanced the beauty but also offered several benefits for the residents is impeccable.

The Memorial hosts thousands of visitors every month and it is the museum that becomes the point of attraction for both local and foreign tourists.

What to expect and explore Victoria Memorial

1. Museum:

The museum is your ticket to the 1920s-1940s as it features valuable, collectible, images and whatnot of all great names in the said years. Filled with real images of names you have read in your history book, the museum takes you on a trip down the historical lane.

In addition, there are rooms of renowned delegates with their furniture and utensils kept intact to date. You can also find weapons used during those times and to make the experience enriching, there are boards with details about each artifact installed. A quiet walk inside the museum is what dreams of historical geeks are made of.

2. Art Galleries:

The magnificent Victoria Memorial is popular for its numerous art galleries and exhibitions that are held every week. There are a total of 25 art galleries inside the memorial attracting art fanatics from all around the globe. The classic Royal Gallery and Calcutta Gallery must be on your list if you wish to explore a blended charm of modern art.

The Royal Gallery takes you to the golden times of Queen Victoria’s life and you can explore prized possessions, coins, and textiles that were used by the Queen. The Calcutta Gallery is a tribute to the city’s rich historical past. Here, you can find rare classic literature books and notes from all your favourite authors. The signature Calcutta textile magic is well represented in the passages of the gallery.

3. Light And Sound Show:

Held every evening in the complex, the classic Son-et-Lumiere is an experience of its own. You can catch the show if you plan to stay till 7:30 PM. The cost per person is ₹500 and is worth every penny spent here.

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Tips for better travel Victoria Memorial

Guide: A travel guide is highly recommended if you wish to learn details about the memorial and indulge in interesting secrets of Queen Victoria’s life. You can easily find local guides around the gate. It takes around 45-60 minutes for a guided tour of the memorial. For foreign nationals, there are multilingual guides available.
Photography: The monument calls for splendid photography and you would love yourself pictures standing in the gorgeous garden. However, photography is allowed only after taking a permit/ticket.
Food and drinks: Before you step inside, remember that outside food is prohibited here. You can grab quick bites and refreshing drinks from the cafes inside the premises.
Wheelchairs: To make the memorial accessible for all, there are wheelchair ramps available all around the premise.

How to reach Victoria Memorial

Victoria Memorial is located in the Queen’s Way, Maidan area of Kolkata making it super convenient to find local transport such as buses and rickshaws that will drop you right in front of the gate.

You can also drive down to the memorial and indulge in the magic of Kolkata streets.

Timings and Ticket Victoria Memorial

Timings- 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Days- Tuesday to Sunday
Ticket- ₹50 for Indians and ₹200 for foreigners

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Victoria Memorial, Kolkata – A Complete Travel Guide