This is not just any old 4th century belfry – it served as a prison for the bourgeoisie during the French Revolution. Today, Thionville might seem like a sleepy little city straddling the Moselle, but its central location has thrust it into countless conflicts throughout the centuries. There’s a reason why ancient walls and ruins […]
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Buckingham Palace
Since 1837, Buckingham Palace has been the official royal residence. It was originally built in 1705 for the Duke of Buckingham. The royal family moved in when their residence, St. James’s Palace, was deemed insufficiently impressive. Buckingham Palace remains a main tourist attraction. Unless you plan on going inside for a very limited tour that […]
Porta Nigra
Some gate! Porta Nigra is the largest Roman city gate north of the Alps. The name originated in the Middle Ages for the dark color of its grey sandstone, which has been further darkened by exhaust fumes and general air pollution over the years. The gate was constructed between 186 and 200 A.D as one […]
Fort Aguada
The Portugese knew what they were doing when they constructed this fort back in 1612. Fort Aguada guards the mouth of the Mandovi River and enables views over every twist and turn. The lighthouse was built in 1894 and is the oldest of its kind in Asia. Down the road is the peninsula’s operating lighthouse. […]
Daria Daulat Bagh
Or, summer palace. This structure was built in 1784 and was constructed atop a raised stone plinth. Teak pillars run along the edge, enclosing an exterior corridor. Practically every inch of the interior is covered with paintings depicting Hyder Ali’s and Tipu Sultan’s victories over the British and courtly life as well as lavish floral […]
Colonel Bailey’s Dungeon
This vaulted brick-and-mortar dungeon was where Tipu Sultan held captured British soldiers. Or, rather, chained captured British soldiers to the interior stone slabs. The structure was named after prisoner Colonel Bailey who died here in 1782.
Gumbaz
Best son ever? Tipu Sultan built this tomb and mosque as a tribute to his father, Hyder Ali (1722-1784), after his death. The pillared, domed structure is typical of Isalmic architecture and was constructed on a stone plinth amidst a manicured garden. The interior chamber was painted with the tiger stripes associated with Tipu. Today, […]
Lal Mahal Palace
Really, the ruins of Tipu’s former palace. Per British historians’ and travelers’ accounts, it was once quite stunning. The library was particularly impressive; after killing Tipu Sultan, the British soldiers brought the rare manuscripts and books once contained therein to England. The palace was dismantled between 1807-1809 AD. Excavations revealed a sophisticated system of underground […]
Tipu Sultan’s Palace, Bangalore
An abode of happiness and an envy of heaven. Aaaah. Or so says a stone pillar inside this palace, constructed in 1791 by the infamous violent ruler. Tipu Sultan (1750-1799), a Muslim in a kingdom of Hindus, was known as the Tiger of Mysore. He ruled Mysore after his father, Hyder Ali, died. Tipu had […]
Bengaluru Palace
Bizarro Windsor Castle? No, it’s Bengalaru Palace. These Wodeyars really knew how to live! This was yet another private residence of the dynasty that ruled the Kingdom of Mysore from 1399-1947. If this structure looks familiar in a can’t-put-your-finger-on-it sort of way, that’s because it was designed to look like Windsor Castle. The now-aged but […]
