City Palace Udaipur – Like a sparkling mirage in the middle of Lake Pichola, the Palace is easily one of India’s most prominent hotels. It is located in the middle of Lake Pichola in Udaipur city, an architectural wonder constructed in white marble and mosaic, resembling with Taj Mahal.
Set against the backdrop of the magnificent Aravalli Mountains on one side of the lake and palaces on the other, the hotel is spread across a four-acre island. The majestic Udaipur City Palace is one of the architectural marvels of Rajasthan and the most visited tourist attraction of Udaipur and often distinguished as the largest palace complex in Rajasthan.
City Palace boasts a magnificent blend of Medieval, European, and Chinese Architecture. The fabulous Palace has different towers, domes, and arches, which add to the flavor of the heritage site. Towering on the banks of Pichola Lake, City Palace is truly a feast to the eyes, with a marvelous assortment of courtyards, pavilions, terraces, corridors, rooms, and hanging gardens. Encircled by fortifications, this imposing Palace is wholly built in granite and marble.
At first, Maharana Udai Singh built this terrific wonder, and the present Palace form is the result of subsequent additions by his successors. The Palace was built between 1743 and 1746. When the water level is high, it hides all traces of the island and the palace appears to be almost floating in the water. After serving as a summer resort to the descendants of Jagat Singh for several generations, it was well converted into a luxury hotel in the 1960s. However, In 1971 Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces took over management of the hotel and extended it with another 75 rooms
City Palace has a number of gates that are known as “Bara Pols” (Great Gate) is the main gate to the City Palace complex. City Palace comprises 11 magnificent palaces, which were superbly built by different rulers but still they be similar to each other. Therefore; with the sheer glimpse of unique paintings, antique furniture, and beautiful glass mirror & ornamental tiles work of these palaces, you will definitely be amazed.
Manak Mahal has figures of crystal and porcelain. However, Bhim Vilas flaunts a fabulous collection of miniature paintings depicting the real-life stories of Radha-Krishna. In 1974, a part of the City Palace and the ‘Zenana Mahal’ (Called Ladies Chamber) have been transformed into a lovely museum.
Furthermore; “Amar Vilas” is the highest point of the Palace and has astonishing hanging gardens with fountains, towers, and terraces. City Palace is structured in a way that it offers a fabulous view of the lake from all its Balconies, cupolas, and towers.
Contrasting the craggy exterior, City Palace has remarkable interiors with delicate mirror-work, marble work, murals, wall paintings, silver work, inlay work, and a surplus of colored glass. The delicate work of City Palace cannot be bounded in words, so one must visit this palace to capture the real picture of it.
Brief Highlights
Location: On the banks of Lake Pichola
Built by: Started by Maharana Udai Singh, completed by his successors
Built-in: Started in 1559 – till the 18th century
Highlights: Largest palace complex in Rajasthan
How to reach: One can easily reach Udaipur City Palace either by taking local buses, tongas, auto-rickshaws and taxis from the city
