Marble Palace
Marble Palace is one of the most beautifully conserved and elegant houses in Kolkata. This nineteenth century magnificent mansion was built under the benefaction of Raja Rajendra Mullick – a rich Bengali merchant with a strong urge for collecting exquisite works of art. The mansion is a masterpiece, with 90 varieties of patterned marble on the floors of the mansion. The structure of the mansion is originally Neoclassical in style and it merges with traditional Bengali style of architecture with open courtyards. Close by the courtyard, there is the place of worship for the family members, which is also called Thakur-Dalan.
The Marble Palace is three-storied and features tall fluted Corinthian Pillars. The mansion is admired with ornamented balconies, featuring sloping roofs and fretwork, which drew influence from the style of Chinese pavilion. The premises of the mansion also include a beautiful garden with lawn, a rock garden, a lake and a small zoo. The sprawling lawn around the palace has a number of statues of Hindu Gods, Jesus Christ, The Virgin Mary, Lord Buddha, the great explorer Christopher Columbus and some lions. It also has marble fountains and a dramatic statue of “Leda and the Swan.” Marble Palace houses an exquisite range of Western sculptures and amazing Victorian furniture, beautiful paintings by eminent Indian and European artists and other objects of art. Decorative items include clocks, huge chandeliers, floor to ceiling mirrors, urns and busts of kings and queens.
History of Marble Palace, Kolkata
Marble Palace is one of the most beautifully conserved and elegant houses in Kolkata. This nineteenth century magnificent mansion was built under the benefaction of Raja Rajendra Mullick – a rich Bengali merchant with a strong urge for collecting exquisite works of art. The mansion is a masterpiece, with 90 varieties of patterned marble on the floors of the mansion. The structure of the mansion is originally Neoclasical in style and it merges with traditional Bengali style of architecture with open courtyards. Close by the courtyard, there is the place of worship for the family members, which is also called Thakur-Dalan.
The Marble Palace is three-storied and features tall fluted Corinthian Pillars. The mansion is admired with ornamented balconies, featuring sloping roofs and fretwork, which drew influence from the style of Chinese pavilion. The premises of the mansion also include a beautiful garden with lawn, a rock garden, a lake and a small zoo. The sprawling lawn around the palace has a number of statues of Hindu Gods, Jesus Christ, The Virgin Mary, Lord Buddha, the great explorer Christopher Columbus and some lions. It also has marble fountains and a dramatic statue of “Leda and the Swan.”
Marble Palace houses an exquisite range of Western sculptures and amazing Victorian furniture, beautiful paintings by eminent Indian and European artists and other objects of art. Decorative items include clocks, huge chandeliers, floor to ceiling mirrors, urns and busts of kings and queens. The mansion also preserves two mesmeric paintings of Rubens – The Marriage of St. Catherine and The martyrdom of St. Sebastian. It is believed that Marble palace also houses two gorgeous paintings of Sir Joshua Reynolds – The Infant Hercules Strangling the Serpent and Venus and Cupid. Other artists said to be included in this amazing collections include Murillo, Titian and John Opie.
Adjacent to the palace, stands the Marble Palace Zoo, which is acknowledged as the first zoo opened in India by Raja Rajendra Mullick. However, it has now primarily become an aviary and shelters for hornbills, peacocks, storks, pelicans and cranes.
There lies an impressive Jagannath Temple close to the Marble Palace, which was built by Raja Rajendra Mullick. However, only family members are allowed in the temple.
Since, Marble Palace remains a private residence, photography is not allowed.
Monuments in Kolkata
Kolkata, famously known as the ‘City of Joy’, is not just another metro city, but has an important place in the history of India. It was the first capital of the British rulers when they had just started building their system of administration to empower their position in the country. The city has gone through multiple transformations industrially and culturally since its formation. In Kolkata you will find multiple places to tell the story of the British age. Here we discuss five historic places and monuments in Kolkata. Kolkata, which is often called the city of joy is one great destination which is rich in many monuments which reflects the beauty of the glorious past. The city was even a charm during the British rule and it is still a charm. The various monuments available in Kolkata reflect the stories about the city. The beauty of these monuments is unmatched or is rather growing with time. The best monuments in Kolkata is listed here for those who want to check them out when traveling here.
