Here are 10 important facts about Victoria Memorial that everyone should know
Victoria Memorial is one of the major tourist attractions in Kolkata. Many tourists from all over the world come to Kolkata to visit the Victoria Memorial. The Victoria Memorial is located in the heart of Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal. Victoria is very close to Park Street, the Maidan area.
As this monument is located on the outskirts of Kolkata city, it is possible to reach this place in a very short time from any part of Kolkata. Lots of people from different districts and cities of West Bengal throng here all the year-round. There is a ticket price of Rs 10 to enter the Victoria Memorial area. However, for those who have breakfast here, the ticketing system is different.
A brief history of the Victoria Memorial
Victoria Memorial Hall construction began in 1906 and was completed in 1921, after a long 15 years. After Queen Victoria’s death, the then Viceroy of British India, Lord Curzon, planned to build a memorial palace and garden, the “Victoria Memorial Hall”, in memory of the Queen. Since then the name of this monument has been Victoria House. Currently, it is used as a museum and cultural center.
The Victoria Memorial in Calcutta is inspired by the style of Italian sculpture, as well as Mughal-style dome designs. Many people mistakenly think of the Taj Mahal when they see Victoria’s pictures. Like the Taj Mahal, white marble has been used in Victoria. The monument was designed by Sir William Emerson of the British Institute of Architects. The garden was designed by Lord Redesdale and Sir John Praline. The construction was done by Martin & Co., Calcutta.
10 Important Facts About Victoria In Kolkata
1) Marble from Rajasthan was used in the construction of the Victoria building. The ground floor area alone is 6,064 square feet.
2) The total amount of land including Victoria Memorial is 64 acres.
3) The construction of this popular monument in Kolkata cost 1 crore 5 lakh rupees. The construction cost was borne by the benefactors of the then British government. The government did not have to spend anything.
4) The total weight of the Victoria Memorial was calculated to be eighty thousand three hundred tons and the total size of the marble used was about 500 cubic meters.
5) During the construction of Victoria House, a 26 km long train line was laid. For the convenience of bringing luggage.
6) Victoria Memorial has a total of 25 galleries.
7) In the garden of this monument there are sculptures of Queen Victoria sitting on the throne, King Edward VII, and other English Governor Generals.
8) The 18 feet high bugle weighing 3 tons on the head of the monument — the bronze statue of Queen Angel of Victory (Angel of Victory).
9) The “Laser Show” is shown at the Victoria Memorial on special days. Laser light brings to life vivid pictures of Kolkata in the past. This account of the evolution of the city is a special attraction of Calcutta.
10) The then US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton visited Kolkata on May 26, 2012. “I am overwhelmed,” he wrote in a notebook of distinguished guests visiting the Victoria Memorial.
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