The Marble Palace,
a nineteenth century palatial mansion in Kolkata is an absolute treat for
visitors. Built by Raja Rajendro Mullick in 1835, the Marble Palace
exhibits exquisite art forms from several European nations.
The Palace is a three-storey
building with impressive tall Corinthian pillars and Chinese pavilion type
verandas on the sides. You enter through high iron gates that open out to a
large circular lawn, with an intricately carved marble fountain, set at the
centre. Beyond that is a rock garden and a collection of beautiful
statues.
Set against a small granite
bungalow you will find an idyllic pool with ducks swimming lazily, closely
supervised by peacocks and ostriches on its bank. You will love the small
private zoo that houses an aviary with a collection of birds from different
corners of the world.
The interior of the palace is
equally fascinating. There is marble everywhere – the 90 different varieties
that you see here were transported from across the seas to be used on the floors,
walls and tabletops. The walls of the
palace contains floor to ceiling mirrors, marble statues and some rare animals
in cages.
Successions of large halls make
up the building. The palace contains numerous object-d'-arts, statues,
furniture, beautiful chandeliers, European antiques, Venetian glass, old pianos
and blue china vases as well as a collection of 82 exquisite clocks.
Here on display are the most
beautiful paintings and sculptures by renowned artists like Rubens, Titian,
Gainsborough, Sir Joshua Reynolds, Murillo and John Opie. The two paintings by
Rubens, "The Marriage of St. Catherine" and "The Martyrdom of
St. Sebastian" is a must see.
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