Victoria Memorial Museum

Treat your eyes with the marvelous grandeur of the historical Victoria Memorial in the city of Kolkata and delight in the beautiful assortment of artifacts displayed in the museum. The largest monument in the world dedicated to a royal, the Victoria Memorial offers a chance to relive the Victorian era in the contemporary world.

About the Museum

The City of Joy Kolkata is not only known for its array of sweets and scrumplicious desserts but several historical and marvelous places that are popular among tourists from all over India. One such historical edifice is the Victoria Memorial which is an iconic landmark structure and stands tall as a reminder of the city’s colonial and architectural heritage. Established in 1921 under the command of Lord Curzon, the then British Viceroy of India, to honor Queen Victoria, the Empress of British India who died in January 1901, this memorial cum museum is one of the most spectacular sights in the city made of marble and iterates the mesmerizing legacy of Kolkata.

The foundation stone of the memorial was laid in 1906 by the Prince of Wales who later became King George V and additions were made to it after the Indian independence. The architecture style of the Victoria Memorial displays Indo-Saracenic revivalist style which is a beautiful confluence of Mughal and British elements along with Egyptian, Islamic, Venetian, and Deccani elements. Drawing inspiration from the exquisite Taj Mahal, the Victoria Memorial features a central dome, four smaller domes, high portals, domed chhatris in octagonal shape, domed towers in the corner, and a terrace. A 16-feet tall statue of the Angel of Victory stands proudly over the central dome and several other stunning metaphorical sculptures also surround the central dome such as Charity, Justice, Art, and Architecture. The North Porch has symbolic sculptures of Prudence, Motherhood, and Learning.

The Victoria Memorial is a must-visit place for everyone who makes a trip to the city not only to witness the grandeur of the structure but to delight in the marvelous exhibits inside the museum. The Victoria Memorial Museum has 25 galleries including the Calcutta Gallery, Portrait Gallery, Royal Gallery, Sculpture Gallery, and National Leaders Gallery, among others and it is home to over 28,000 artifacts such as arms and ammunition, spectacular sculptures, paintings, photographs from the past, antiquary books, etc. The list of the things to relish in the historical edifice is not done yet. The memorial is encircled by lush green sprawling lawns and gardens on over 57 acres of land that are ideal to spend some peaceful time with your loved ones or even for a fresh morning walk. When visiting the memorial make sure you wait till the evening when the monument becomes a captivating sight to behold. The light and sound show in Victoria Memorial titled the Pride and Glory – Story of Calcutta is one of the most fascinating in India and brings alive the numerous glories of the beautiful city on screen.