Top 5 Best Places to Visit in Kolkata – Iconic Landmarks & Hidden Gems

1. Victoria Memorial

The Victoria Memorial had been built, being located in the heart of Kolkata, in honor of Queen Victoria on the 25 th anniversary of her being India’s ruler. One of Kolkata’s most popular historical locations, the memorial occupies 57 acres, and contains 21 gardens, 28,394 artefacts and 3,900 artistic paintings. Although it is a tribute to the British rule in India, the memorial has an outstanding architecture design and innovation.

Famous For: Exemplary architecture

Location: Housed in 1, Queen’s Way, Kolkata, Victoria Memorial.

Timings: 10 am to 5 pm

Entry Fee: Those who visit from India are charged INR 20, while foreigners will pay INR 200 for admission.

2. Fort William

One of these most familiar historical landmarks in Kolkata is the grand Fort William. Built in 1696 the fort was named after King William III, and its size covers a total of 70.9 acres. The building boasts intricate stonework work on its exterior, this an exercise that took ten years to accomplish. Today the Indian Army maintains Fort William, which can accommodate 10 thousand soldiers.

Famous For: Its meticulous stonework

Location: Fort William, Hastings, Kolkata

Timings: 10 am to 5:30 pm

Entry Fee: Free Entry

3. Howrah Bridge

This magnificent bridge, which is the pride of Kolkata stretches about 1500 feet and 71 feet wide. Built majestically over the Hooghly River, Kolkata has more than one of the most famous historical landmarks here, and this bridge is one of them. There are Eight Lanes intended for roads, bicycles, and pedestrians, otherwise known as Rabindra Setu. Made of steel, the bridge is one of the world’s longest cantilever bridges. It is especially distinguished by the fact that the number of vehicles passing over it is very high as the bridge in question also registers about 100,000 vehicles a day, and a lot of people are walking as well. What is unique about this bridge is that there are no nuts and bolts, it is all built with rivets.

Famous For: It is one of the longest cantilever bridges in the world because of its length.
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Location: Jagganath Ghat, 1, Strand Road, Kolkata

Timings: NA

Entry Fee: Free entry

4. Belur Math

Belur Math is the most famous of the many historical landmarks of Kolkata. As a pilgrimage site and settled by the Ramakrishna Math and Mission founded by Swami Vivekananda, the temple covers about forty Known for its wonderful architecture the temple combines Hindu, Christian and Islamic styles to reflect the common values of all religions.

Famous For: Stunning architecture

Location: Belur, Howrah, West Bengal

Timings: The temple is open throughout the day from 6:00 am, 4:30 pm to 7:00 pm.

Entry Fee: Free Entry

5. Marble Palace

A visit to the Marble Palace at 46, Muktaram Babu Street in northern Kolkata shows the extent of the area’s cultural and architectural riches. Raja Rajendra Mullick, a wealthy Bengali merchant and collector of art, built the palace in 1835 and today, its neoclassical typically and vast offering of cultural relics establish it as noteworthy.

People generally identify the Marble Palace by its neoclassical appearance, with its use of high fluted Corinthian columns, elaborate verandas, and roofs inspired by those found in Chinese pavilions. The palace’s name comes from the large number—126 varieties—of marbles used throughout the mansion to decorate the floors, the walls, and the sculptures.

Western sculptures, furniture from the Victorian era, and artwork made by both European and Indian artists are exhibited inside the palace. The largest attractions of the exhibition are attributed works by Peter Paul Rubens, especially The Marriage of St. Catherine and The Martyrdom of St. Sebastian, and additions from Sir Joshua Reynolds, Titian, and Bartolomé Esteban Murillo.

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