Victoria Memorial Review

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Victoria Memorial

  • Address: Queen's Way, Central Kolkata, Kolkata, West Bengal, 700071
  • Phone: 33/2223-1890

Fodor's Review:

This massive, white marble monument was conceived in 1901 by Lord Curzon and built over a 20-year period. Designed in a mixture of Italian Renaissance and Saracenic styles, surrounded by extensive, carefully manicured gardens, and preceded by a typically sober statue of Victoria herself, it remains the single greatest symbol of the British Raj. Inside the building is an excellent museum of the history of Calcutta (there's a lot to read, but it will really sharpen your sense of the British-Bengali relationship) and various Raj-related exhibits, including Queen Victoria's writing desk and piano, Indian miniature paintings, watercolors, and Persian books. Cameras and electronic equipment must be left at the entrance. In the evenings there's a sound and light show, with narration in English, about Kolkata's history.

  • Cost: Monument Rs. 150, sound-and-light show Rs. 20
  • Open: Tues.-Sun. 10-4:30; sound-and-light show Tues.-Sun. 7:15 (Oct.-Feb.) and 7:45 (Mar.-June)
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