Falaknuma Palace

Falaknuma Palace: the "Mirror of the Sky" above Hyderabad

Crowning a hill on the southern edge of Hyderabad, the Falaknuma Palace is one of India's most opulent aristocratic residences — a European-styled palace filled with the treasures of the fabulously wealthy Nizams. Its name, Falak-numa, means "like the sky" or "Mirror of the Sky," and from its terraces the city really does seem to lie at one's feet.

Long closed to the public, the palace has been restored to its former splendour and now operates as a landmark luxury hotel, giving travellers a rare chance to step inside the world of Hyderabad's princely rulers.

Built by a nobleman, home to a Nizam

The palace was built between 1884 and 1893 by Nawab Vikar-ul-Umra, a prime minister of Hyderabad and member of the Paigah nobility. Designed in a blend of European styles by an English architect, it is famously laid out in the shape of a scorpion, with two stinger-like wings extending from the central building. Not long after its completion, it passed to the sixth Nizam, Mahbub Ali Khan, becoming a royal guest palace where kings, viceroys and dignitaries were entertained in staggering luxury.

Marble, mirrors and a table for 101

Inside, the palace is a showcase of Gilded-Age extravagance: Italian marble staircases, Venetian chandeliers, frescoed ceilings and one of the finest private collections of its kind. Its library was modelled on the one at Windsor Castle, and its state dining room holds what is often described as the world's longest dining table, seating 101 guests, served with matched crystal and silver. The Nizams' legendary wealth — for a time the Nizam of Hyderabad was reckoned among the richest men in the world — is written into every room.

From royal palace to luxury hotel

After decades of neglect, the palace was painstakingly restored over many years in partnership with the Taj group and reopened in 2010 as the Taj Falaknuma Palace hotel. The restoration preserved its antiques, art and atmosphere, so that guests arrive — traditionally by horse-drawn carriage — into a living museum of Hyderabadi grandeur.

Visiting Falaknuma Palace

Because it is a working luxury hotel, Falaknuma is not a conventional monument with open gates. Visitors who are not staying can usually experience it through its celebrated high tea or dining and, at times, guided heritage tours, all of which are best arranged by reservation in advance. It remains one of the defining experiences of a visit to Hyderabad, a city already famous for its Charminar, its biryani and its royal past.

• Location: Hyderabad, Telangana, India

• Built: 1884–1893 by Nawab Vikar-ul-Umra; later a Nizam's palace

• Design: European styles, laid out in the shape of a scorpion

• Highlights: marble interiors, Windsor-inspired library, 101-seat dining table

• Today: restored with the Taj group; reopened 2010 as a luxury hotel

• Visiting: hotel access via stays, high tea, dining or tours — reserve ahead