Victoria Memorial is a memorial building in Kolkata, in memory of the Late Queen Victoria (1819–1901) of England.

The north facade of the Victoria Hall

Victoria Memorial Hall construction was started in the year 1906, and the foundation stone was laid by the then Prince of Wales, who later became King George V. (Prince of Wales was the Grandson of Queen Victoria). The memorial construction was completed in 1921 and was opened to the public in the same year.

Victoria-Memorial Gallery

This memorial hall is now a museum or gallery called Victoria Memorial Museum or Victoria Memorial Gallery. It is situated on the banks of the Hooghly River.

The museum which is a memorial to Queen Victoria was designed by the great Architect William Emerson. Emerson was the president of the Royal Institute of British Architects. The funding was a collective effort by the individuals of the British Raj in India, erstwhile Princely states of India, and the British government.

This Memorial museum was constructed with the same type of marble used to construct the Taj Mahal in the Indo-Saracenic revivalist style. The building is 338 feet in length and 228 feet in width. The height of the memorial hall is 184 feet.

This magnificent museum has 25 galleries, including the Royal Gallery. Some of the other prominent galleries include the Central Hall, the Arms and Armoury Gallery, the National Leader’s Gallery, the Portrait Gallery, the Sculpture Gallery, and the Calcutta Gallery which was added a quarter-century back. Rare and antique books of William Shakespeare, Omar Khayyam, etc, can be found here.

The entry fee for Indians is Rs. 30 per head. The working hours are from 10 am to 6 pm, except on national holidays and Mondays.

Victoria-Memorial Gardens

There is a beautiful garden spread over 64 acres, designed by David Prain and Lord Redesdale. You can visit this Garden in front of the Victoria Museum. It is open from 5.30 am to 6 pm. The entry fee to the Garden for Indians is Rs 20 per head.

There are monthly passes for those who want to walk in the Garden, in the mornings. The charges for Morning walkers are Rs 1000 for those ages 60 years or above. For others, the monthly payments are Rs 2000.

How Do I Go to Victoria Memorial Museum alias Victoria Memorial Hall?

Victoria Memorial Hall is in the city’s heart, near Jawaharlal Nehru Road.

Kolkata is well connected by all modes of transport. The erstwhile capital of British India, the historic city of Kolkata, has an international airport connected to all parts of the world. (The capital of India was transferred to Delhi by King George V in 1912.)

Kolkata railway station is a major railway station in India. Some other major railway stations in the city include Howrah Station in Howrah, Santragachi Junction railway station in Howrah, Sealdah Station in Kolkata, and Shalimar Station in Howrah.

Kolkata or Calcutta as it was known earlier, is well connected by different National Highways to other parts of the country. Kolkata seaport is a major seaport in the city.