Falaknuma Palace - A Royal Beauty...

If there's one place in Hyderabad which continues to impress me with its brilliance and excellence then it's got to be the Falaknuma palace. Recently when I went to Hyderabad I visited this exquisite place. I was told that this spectacular structure took a time span of 9 years to get completed and was gifted by Nawab-ul-Ulmara to Mehboob Ali Khan, the Nizam of Hyderabad. The name of this palace is an Urdu word meaning 'A Star twinkling in Heaven'.

This palace covers a vast area of 9,39,712 sq m and is shaped like a Scorpion. The two wings here give an impression of stringers reaching out towards the north side of the palace. This beautiful palace's design was conceived by a talented Italian architect and hence was constructed using Italian marble. This palace mirrors the ambience of the lavish Mughal era and has got ornate fountains and smooth sparkling staircases in place. This castle uniquely blends Tudor and Italian styles of architecture and has got decor similar to the Louis XIV Elan. Both the Mughal and classical style of architecture can be seen influencing its interiors. Dignitaries from all over the globe have paid a visit to this pristine castle. From Queen Mary to King George V and from Winston Churchill to King Edward VIII; all have experienced this splendid palace's essence. This resort to the Nizams is now pretty famous for its tapestries, carpets and precious art objects. It has even got a remarkable library with a rare collection of manuscripts and books. The roofs of the library have got fine walnut carvings and are aesthetically designed. This royal heritage has even got rock-cut dazzling diamonds and semi-precious stones embedded into its reception hall. Sparkling Venetian chandeliers and antique statues too add to the panache of this place. So in short, Falaknuma palace is one palace you must visit when in Hyderabad.