Falaknuma Palace

Falaknuma Palace: is also famous as the “mirror of the sky”  because of its 2000 feet above sea level,  Built in 1894, it took nine  years and four million rupees for its wonderful, physical evolution in the shape of a scorpion. Designed by William Mard Marret,  a British architect, the foundation for the construction was laid on 3rd March 1884. The palace took 9 years to complete the construction, totally made with Italian marble and covers an area of 93,971 square meters.

Palace took a rumoured 22 years to perfect and has been owned in turn by Sir Vicar-Ul-Umra, PM, State of  Hyderabad,  Nizam Mahboob Ali Pasha and Mir Osman Ali Khan Bahadur.

Falaknuma Palace, built in the clouds and reflects the ever-changing moods of the sky.  It trapped the eye of the seventh Nizam of Hyderabad, Mahbub Ali Pasha, Sir Vikar's brother-in-law, who was rumoured to be so smitten by the Palace that Sir Vikar, his prime minister, had no choice but to give in to time-honoured tradition and offer it as a gift or ’nazar‘. Bought over in 1895 and used as the residence of Nizam VI until 1911, Falaknuma Palace later went on to be used as a royal guesthouse for dignitaries.

One of the places of interest of the palace is the state reception room, whose ceiling is decorated with frescoes and gilded relief's. The ballroom contains a two-ton manually operated organ which is said to be the only one of its kind in the world. This “spaced out” the palace has as many as 220 lavishly decorated rooms and 22 spacious halls. The palace has some of the finest treasures collected by the Nizam.

Dining Hall of the Falaknuma Palace

The distinguished dining hall of the palace where could seat 100 guests on a single table. The furniture is also very creative. The chairs are imprinted with rosewood and green leather upholstery. The dinner service table was made of gold and crystal to which fluted music was added.  The marbled staircase leads to the upper floor. It has carved balustrades which supports marble figures with candelabra at intervals. On the walls of the corridor are excellent oil paintings of the Asaf Jahi family, past ministers,  the whole forming  a very interesting historical picture gallery which adds greatly to the imposing effect of the staircase.

In 2000, The Taj Group of Hotels has sensitively restored the palace, not only to accommodate the privileged in 60 glamorous rooms and suites, but also to accommodate the extravagance of the ’then‘with all the comfort of the ’now’. The renovated hotel was opened in November 2010.

Location : Hyderabad, 5 km. from Charminar
Best Time to Visit : October to March
Unique Feature : Jade collection
Visiting : Occasion basis