One of the finest palaces in
Hyderabad, the monument is situated on a hill of 2000
feet high, located 5 km south of Charminar. Built by Nawab
Vikar-ul-Umra, the fifth Paigah Emir, it was purchased
by Nizam VI in 1897 as was used as a royal guest house
and is now the property of Nawab Mukarramjah Bahadur,
the grandson of Nizam VII.
The palace was designed by an Italian architect and
its foundation was laid on the 3rd of March, 1884, it
took 9 years to complete the construction of the Palace.
The palace boasts of one of the most lavishly decorated
interiors.
This exquisite palace made of Italian marble was built
by one of the Paigah nobles Nawab Vicar Ul Umra in 1892.
A majesty testimony to the glory of the Nizams, it stands
atop a hill 2000 feet high. It has often been referred
to as the 'Mirror of the Sky'. The palace was designed
by a Italian architect and follows a western architectural
style. Falaknuma houses a large collection of rare treasures
collected by the Nizam including paintings, statues,
furniture, manuscripts and books. The Jade collection
of the Palace is considered to be unique in the world.
The palace is laid out in the shape of a scorpion with
two stings spread out as wings on the north. The middle
part is occupied by the main building and the kitchen
and harem quarters stretch to the south. The Nawab being
an avid traveller, varies influences show on the palace
architecture. Louis XIV-style decor with a lavish Mughal
ambience, Italian marble staircases and ornate fountains.
Its glass stained windows throw a spectrum of colours
into the rooms. The palace has a library with a walnut
carved roof, a replica of the one at Windsor Castle.
The library had one of the finest collections of the
holy Quran in India.
Palace is about 12 km from
Hyderabad railway station and 7 km from Hyderabad bus
station.
Excellent transport is available from all parts of the
twin-cities.
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