LAXMI VILAS PALACE

The Laxmi Vilas Palace, also known as Lakshmi Vilas, is a large building of red sandstone from Agra, blue sandstone from Pune and marble from Italy. It was built in 1890 at the request of Maharaja Sayaji Rao. A British architect built a rather massive building, mixing English and Indian styles. But he never saw the result, because he committed suicide during the construction, thinking that the foundations could never support such an ambitious project. History proved him wrong and nowadays it is possible to visit some of the rooms of the palace located on the first floor. This visit will give you a small glimpse of the grandeur of a bygone era and of the luxury debauchery intended to establish royal power. Numerous colored stained glass windows made in England, crystal chandeliers from Belgium, marble staircases sculpted by Felicci and all the most incredible modern conveniences for the time: electricity, running water, telephone... The highlight of the visit is undoubtedly the Durbar Hall, the huge reception and audience room. The palace is still inhabited by the royal family of Vadovara, who enjoy its direct access to the golf course. The complex also houses the Fateh Singh Museum, the Moti Baug Palace and the city's cricket stadium.

Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum: open Tuesday to Sunday from 9:30 am to 6 pm. On the first floor of the Laxmi Vilas Palace. The museum displays European paintings, Chinese and Japanese porcelain, as well as works by Raphael, Titian and Murillo.