There are many beautiful places in every corner of Kolkata. Many monuments are preserved in their golden glory and old charm.
One of such beautiful places in Kolkata is a colossal building known as the Marble Palace.
ADVERTISEMENT
It is located in Muktaram Babu Street, Jorasanko, Girish Park.
In this article, you will get to know the following points about the Marble Palace, Kolkata,
Let’s see each of these points in detail…
History of Marble Palace
The beautiful Marble Palace mansion was built in 1835 by a wealthy Bengali merchant named Raja Rajendra Mullick.
Apart from being a wealthy merchant, he had a passion for collecting works of art from various places he visited.
ADVERTISEMENT
His father, Sri Nilmoni Mullick, who had adopted Rajendra Mullick as his son, built the Jagannath temple within the grounds of the palace mansion.
The temple predates the mansion and is still in excellent condition.
However, the temple is only accessible to members of the Mullick family and is not intended for visitors or tourists.
Timings for the Marble palace
The timings of Marble Palace Kolkata are,
| DAY | TIME |
|---|---|
| MONDAY | CLOSED |
| TUESDAY | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| WEDNESDAY | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| THURSDAY | CLOSED |
| FRIDAY | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| SATURDAY | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| SUNDAY | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
ADVERTISEMENT
How to reach Marble Palace
The metro is the most recommended mode of transportation to get to the Marble Palace.
Girish Park Metro Station is the closest metro station to Marble Palace. The mansion is approximately a 5-minute walk from this metro station.
The palace is located at the end of the street, so you may face difficulty in finding it.
So you may take help from the locals or you may access Google Maps to reach the desired location.
You can also reach here by other modes of transport such as bus, taxis or uber & Olas.
Marble Palace Architecture
The Marble Palace Mansion is an architectural marvel that combines neoclassical elements with traditional Bengali elements and touches on the Chinese style of architecture.
It was built with superior quality Italian marble, giving the entire structure a majestic appearance.
The mansion is constructed with approximately 126 different types of marbles selected from various locations throughout the country to create a unique architectural glory.
ADVERTISEMENT
The palace is segmented into five halls: the reception hall, the painting room, the sculpture room, the pool room, and the Thakur Dalan (place of worship).
The main façade is built in Neoclassical style with tall fluted Corinthian columns and bas reliefs that open into large Bengali Style courtyards or “Uthon”.
There is a small place of worship for the family, located just adjacent to the courtyard and is also called the “Thakur Dalaan”.
The intricate carvings on the marble pillars, floorings, and walls of the palace greatly resemble the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, which is also one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
The massive corridors are lined with lovely chandeliers, Victorian furniture, sculptures, and portraits.
The ornamental wood designs of the verandas and balconies are inspired by Chinese elements and the sloping roofs are inspired by Chinese-style pavilions.
Collections at Marble Palace
The palace’s beautiful decor and art collection of the Victorian era attract many tourists every year.
The palace houses 76 rare artworks brought from Italy and Belgium in 1830, making it a treasure trove of valuable artifacts accumulated over the past 180 years.
Sculptures by Praxiteles to Phidias, Venus to Apollo, Homer to Diana, and Mosses are among the exhibits at the mansion museum.
ADVERTISEMENT
Victorian furniture, Belgian glassware, game trophies, and fine paintings, including originals by Murillo, Reynolds, and Rubens, are among the palace’s most notable artifacts.
It is worth mentioning the music room within the palace building, which has a lavish marble inlay floor, and has Napoleon and Wellington statues.
The ballroom is lined with candle chandeliers and silvered glass balls from a collection of original 19th-century disco balls that spread the chandeliers’ illumination.
A massive Japanese bronze vase in the doorway is the major attraction for the visitors.
You can also see full-length Belgian glass mirrors that adorn the walls adding depth to the vintage ambiance of the palace.
It is rumored to be an original, but no one is sure about it because the origin or details of its transfer to India still lies in mystery.
The reception hall displays sculptures depicting seasons, times of day, and lessons from Italian and British schools.
The mansion’s art room is a dimly lit room that houses a collection of originals by several notable painters.
This includes two from Sir Joshua Reynolds’ collection, such as “The Infant Hercules Strangling the Serpent” and “Venus and Cupid.”
Other paintings in the collection are by Indian artist Raja Ravi Varma, Dutch painter Jan Van Goyen, Italian painter Giovanni Battista Salvi da Sassoferrato, Rubens and Piero del Pollaiolo.
ADVERTISEMENT
Even though the art pieces are lavish and depict the charm and regality of a past era, the arrangements of these artifacts seem a bit orderless.
A few statues are scattered throughout the lush green lawn that surrounds the palace mansion.
The majority of the statues depict Gods from various faiths and religions, as well as a few exotic animals.
A marble fountain and a statue of “Leda and the Swan” are located in the center of the lawn.
Entry Permit for Marble Palace
To visit the palace, one must first obtain a special permit. There is no entry fee required in the palace.
The permit is available from the West Bengal Tourism Information Bureau, located in BBD Bag, Kolkata.
Once inside, a guide provides valuable and detailed information about the various objects and artworks on display by taking you through the entire complex of the mansion.
Because the Marble Palace Mansion is a private residence, photography is strictly prohibited on the premises.
ADVERTISEMENT
Other places to visit near Marble Palace
If you are visiting Marble Place, don’t miss to visit the other beautiful attractions here, the Jorasanko Thakur Bari and the St John’s Church.
Hope this information helps you in case you are planning to visit the Marble Palace in Kolkata.
So do not miss this beautiful palace and include it in your must-visit location in Kolkata.
Cover Pic Credits: Swarnasubarna26, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Some web stories to know more about West Bengal:
Some other articles you might like
- Neora Jungle Camp (Lataguri) – How To Book, Accommodations
- Jayanti (Dooars) West Bengal – Attractions, Best Time To Visit
- Abanindranath Tagore’s Garden House | Konnagar Bagan Bari
- 8 Best Places For A One Day Tour From Kolkata 2024
- Chandannagar Museum (Hooghly) – Timings, Ticket Price, History
- 4 Best Places To Visit In Bolpur-Shantiniketan (West Bengal)
Disclaimer: Some of the links provided in the article may contain affiliate links. This means when you book or buy something using these links, you help support the website at no extra cost.