Victoria Memorial
ভিক্টোরিয়া মেমোরিয়াল
The white-marble memorial museum and its gardens.
About Victoria Memorial
Conceived by Lord Curzon after Queen Victoria’s death and built between 1906 and 1921 to a design by William Emerson, the memorial is clad in Makrana marble, the same stone as the Taj Mahal. A bronze Angel of Victory turns on the dome. Inside are galleries of paintings, including the work of the Daniells, and a gallery on the history of Calcutta. The 64 acres of gardens and lakes around it are the city’s favourite morning walk.
Why visit
The city’s signature building, and one of its best museums and gardens.
What to see and do
- The marble building and the angel on the dome
- The Calcutta Gallery
- Paintings by Thomas and William Daniell
- The gardens and reflecting pools
Plan your visit
- Area
- Maidan & Chowringhee, Central Kolkata
- Nearest landmark
- Queen’s Way, south end of the Maidan
- Best time
- Morning, afternoon or sunset. October to March is the most comfortable time of year.
- Time needed
- About 2 hours
- Cost
- Usually under ₹100 a head
- Entry
- Open to the public with a ticket. Separate tickets for the gardens and for the museum. Current prices and hours are not currently verified.
- Metro
- Maidan or Rabindra Sadan (Blue Line), about 10 minutes’ walk
- Walking
- Some walking
- Photography
- Good for photography. Photography is restricted inside the galleries.
- Food nearby
- Snack stalls outside the gates; Park Street is a short ride away.
Tip
The museum is generally closed on Mondays; the gardens keep separate, longer hours and have their own ticket. Late afternoon light is best on the marble.
Nearby and related places
- St Paul’s Cathedral: The Gothic Revival cathedral beside the Maidan, consecrated in 1847.
- Birla Planetarium: A domed planetarium of 1963, modelled on the Sanchi stupa.
- Academy of Fine Arts: Galleries and the stage that is the home of Bengali group theatre.
- Nandan & Rabindra Sadan: The state film centre and concert hall, heart of the city’s cultural evening.
- The Maidan: The great open ground at the centre of the city.
- Maidan Football Grounds: The club grounds where Indian football grew up.
More guides
- Places in Maidan & Chowringhee
- Heritage places in Kolkata
- Museums and galleries in Kolkata
- Family-friendly places
- Places to photograph in Kolkata
- Parks, lakes and green spaces
- Places for sunset
- Places near a metro station
- All places to visit in Kolkata
Last checked on 2026-10-02. Each place was checked to exist and its position confirmed. Timings, closing days and ticket prices are shown only where known and can change: confirm before you travel.