Enjoy a heritage walk to the city palace, which houses eleven huge medieval style palaces. The construction of City palace, which is considered to be the royal possession of Rajput, started under the reign of Maharana Udai Singh II. The palaces were built by the 76 generations of Sisodia Rajputs or Suryavanshi Rajputs (worshippers of Sun god), from 1559 onwards. Udai Mirza Singh II, have richly contributed to this edifice, which comprises an agglomeration of structures, including 11 small separate palaces.
Overlooking the Pichola Lake, the city palace is considered as the largest complex in Rajasthan with a facade 244m long and 30.4m high. Filled with domes, towers, and arches, City palace is a marvellous place which attracts throngs of visitors.
There is a city within this palace with facilities like post office, bank, travel agency, numerous craft shops and also an Indian boutique belonging to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). All forts are interlinked with each other; one can pass through the large number of narrow passages, courtyards, gardens, forts, and quadrangles with zigzag corridors.
Entry to the complex is possible through the Tripolia (triple) gate, which leads to interconnecting forts i.e. Suraj Gokhda (public address facade), the Mor-chowk (Peacock courtyard), the Dilkhush Mahal (heart’s delight), the Surya Chopar, the Sheesh Mahal (Palace of glass and mirrors), the Moti Mahal (Palace of Pearls), the Krishna Vilas (named after Lord Krishna), Shambu Niwas (royal residence now), the Bhim Vilas, the Amar Vilas (with a raised garden) that faces the Badi Mahal (the big palace), the Fateprakash Palace and the Shiv Niwas Palace (the latest addition to the complex).
