Designed in Indo-Saracenic style of architecture, the palace built by Maharaja Sayajirao 111 in 1890 is till date the residence of the Royal family. Its ornate Darbar Hall has an Italian mosaic floor and walls with mosaic decorations. The Palace houses a remarkable collection of old armoury and sculptures in bronze, marble & terracotta.
Vadodara, originally Vadapadraka means a village amidst the banyan trees. Historical findings take us back to the 9th century where we find reference to a town called Ankottaka, which can be identified as present day Akota. Located on the right bank of the river this place was prone to floods and therefore in the later period Vadapadraka displaced Ankottaka as the administrative headquarters.
Ankottaka was a famous centre of Jainism and Jain Studies towards 5th & 6th Century A.D. The hoard of metallic Jain images-Akota Bronzes-can be seen in the Vadodara Museum and are of immense artistic and technological value.
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Nazarbagh Palace
Built in the Victorian classical style, the palace was used on ceremonial occasions by the Gaekwads. It now houses the royal family heirlooms.
Makarpura Palace
A beautiful palace designed in the Italianate style, the Makarpura Palace is now used as a training school of the Indian Air Force.
Pratap Vilas Palace at Lalbag
Built as the residence of the royal family, Pratap Vilas is an extravagant and flamboyant building in the Indo-Sarcenic style. It now houses the Railway Staff College.
