British Architecture Walk, en fordybende vandretur i Chennai
Beskrivelse
Træd ind i den koloniale storhed af Madras, der engang var det slagende hjerte i Britisk Indien. Dette er ikke en "tur" - det er en portal ind i et imperiums opgang og fald. Som en turismeministeriets godkendt organisation og stolt IATO-medlem afslører vores kulturelle evangelister den dramatiske skæbne for de mestere, der engang regerede disse saler og definerede byens skyline. I løbet af tre timer, vi dekodere den arkitektoniske alkemi af viktorianske gotiske, Indo-Saracenic og byzantinske stilarter. Fra de skyhøje buer i Central Station og de hvide kupler i Ripon Building til de historiske bastioner i Fort St. George og Senatet hus, spore vi, hvordan disse monumenter overgik fra symboler på kejserlig kontrol til de forenende søjler i moderne Indien. Vinder af Outlook Responsible Tourism Award 2025, leverer vi en etisk, elite rejse, der støtter vores lokale samfund. Kom med til at opleve Chennai arkitektoniske sjæl.
Turmuligheder
Rejseplan
Egmore banegård er mere end 100 år gammel og en af de tidligste bygninger bygget i indo-saracenisk stil. Designet af den legendariske Henry Irwin til at være større end Charring Cross-stationen i London, blev stationen bygget af Samynatha Pillai. Bygningen er en fin blanding af gotiske og dravidiske designstile. Det er det ideelle sted at starte vores tur om britisk arkitektur i Chennai.
Central Railway Station blev bygget i 1873 i gotisk genoplivningsstil af den britiske arkitekt George Harding. Det blev ændret af Robert Chisholm, der tilføjede det centrale uretårn og Travancore-hætter på de vigtigste tårne. I dag håndterer denne station mere end 350000 passagerer hver dag.
Victoria Public Hall blev åbnet for offentligheden i 1887 for at fejre Dronning Victorias gyldne jubilæum. Salen, opkaldt efter dronningen selv, havde været et mødested for forskellige arrangementer som offentlige møder og endda filmvisninger. Hallen er tegnet af den britiske arkitekt Robert Chisholm, og den er et glimrende eksempel på indo-saracenisk arkitektur. Namberumal Chetty, som på det tidspunkt havde bygget forskellige offentlige strukturer i byen Madras, byggede strukturen.
British Architecture Walk fortsætter til Ripon Building, der blev taget i brug i 1913. Designet af G.S.T. Harris. og bygget af Loganatha Mudaliar, er Ripon-bygningen opkaldt efter Lord Ripon, en guvernør-general i det britiske Indien, som berømt blev kendt som faren til det lokale selvstyre i Chennai. I dag er denne bygning kontoret for borgmester i Chennai.
Vi går næste gang til hovedkvarteret for sydlige jernbaner i Indien. Denne bygning er bygget i indo-saracenisk stil og blev designet af N. Grayson og bygget af Samynada Pillai. Det blev afsluttet i år 1921. Det sydlige jernbanes hovedkvarter var en af de tidligste bygninger i Indien, der blev bygget med armeret beton.
Napier Bridge blev bygget i 1869 over Coovum-floden og er opkaldt efter den britiske guvernør i Fort St. George, Francis Napier. Det forbinder marinaen med Fort St. George. Den smalle bro blev udvidet og omdannet til en konkret struktur og blev åbnet for offentligheden i juli 1943. Denne bro bruges ofte af Media til at repræsentere byen Chennai!
Senatet House er det administrative centrum af University of Madras. Det ligger langs Marina Beach. Senatbygningen blev bygget af Robert Chisholm og betragtes som et godt eksempel på den indo-saraceniske stil med en harmonisk blanding af byzantinske arkitektoniske træk. Dette mesterværk blev konstrueret mellem april 1874 og 1879. Det har en konvokationshall, portikos, en brystning, mødesaler og et bibliotek.
Victory War Memorial, der tidligere blev kaldt Cupido's bue, er et mindesmærke, der er konstrueret til minde om de allierede hærers sejr under første verdenskrig (1914–1918). Det blev senere sejrskrigsminde for 2. verdenskrig (1939–1945), opført til minde om dem fra Madras formandskab, der mistede deres liv i krigene.
Højdepunkter
Hvad er inkluderet
Rejsendes vurderinger
Vigtig information
- Der er adgang til offentlig transport i nærheden
- Anbefales ikke til rejsende med rygskader
- Anbefales ikke til gravide rejsende
- Velegnet til alle fitnessniveauer
Anmeldelser(64)
Hareesh was flexible with the timing of the trip. He even took us on the suburban train. A significant area of improvement is to expand the knowledge of British architecture. Must include anecdotes to make it more interesting. We did not visit the Santhome Basilica which was disappointing.
Hello. Thanks for this opportunity to host you and for taking the time to share your feedback. It is very valuable. I would also like to clarify that Santhome Basilica is not part of the itinerary, as it was not built by the British and hence it was not covered in this tour.
We had a great time with Hareesh. Learned a lot about the history of Chennai, not just what the Britishers did. Hareesh was very kind when my wife felt a bit ill in the heat. A tour well worth doing.
Thanks so much for your feedback. We are delighted that you enjoyed this tour with Hareesh.
Jainath was a likeable guide and gave a very good introduction to Chennai. He included some history which was very interesting to me as was the British colonial story behind the buildings
This was an AMAZING tour! It began with a great historical overview of India and understanding of the different groups of people that influenced the cultural landscape. We visited some of the iconic British buildings like the Chennai Rail Station and the Ripon Building. I was very impressed with Hareesh's knowledge and ability to answer my (sometimes obscure) questions. Therr is no guidbook that could offer such a rich and fulfilling experience. This is a "must do" tour epecially if you'reinterested in understanding the rich layers that make up this incredible city.
Jainath was a fabulous guide. He was incredibly knowledgeable about the history of these buildings and I learned so much from him. This session was a highlight of my visit to Chennai.
My second tour with Hareesh, just as good as the first. He was very knowledgeable about the British architecture of Chennai, explaining about the different styles of the buildings, when they were built and what they are made of etc. Hareesh is very friendly and relaxed. Definitely recommend.
We thoroughly enjoyed our British Architecture walk. Our guide, Hareesh was both interesting and knowledgeable about both the architecture and the history. He was happy to answer our questions on a wide variety of topics. It was great to understand how Chennai had evolved as first, separate settlements and gradually grown into the major city we know today. We would definitely recommend this tour.
Hareesh told me a lot about the history of India and showed me the architecture of George town. His explanation was clear and detailed. Then we went to drink the traditional filter coffee. It was a nice tour. Only caveat is that I would have liked to go more on foot.
Our guide, Mr. Hareesh , was knowledgeable and wonderful to chat with, pointing out the many different buildings in central Chennai where the British left their mark. He was also very responsive to our questions about Chennai history, municipal organization and daily life. Wonderful insight into an interesting city!
A great tour to get deeper into the history of Chennai and understand how the city evolved before and after colonial times. Hareesh was an excellent guide and took time to explain everything and to answer my questions. An added bonus was a visit to George Town and Marina Beach on the way back to my hotel. Plus the chance to ride a local train. Thoroughly interesting and enjoyable tour which I would highly recommend.
