Top 10 Best Architecture Sights of Chennai that Describe History

Chennai's centuries-old architecture is a combination of diverse architectural style, with ancient Tamil architectural temples built by dynasties, from churches to colonial-era structures (Indo-Saracenic style), Chennai's architectural history is full of awe inspiring. However, Chennai is one of the largest ancient metropolitan cities in India, more than 400 years old. And this busy city is one of the most sought-after tourist destinations in the country, famous for being home to the Marina Beach as well as the historical sites. In fact, Chennai - or Madras, as it was originally known - is a center for buildings with walls soaked in history, heritage, art, culture, architecture, commerce, cuisine and beautiful structures; and is dedicated to providing a different experience to the visitors as compared to all other parts of the country.

Chennai has been on the path of development in many areas for many years and has become a hub in the major economic and political spheres. And now with the new inaugurated of Metro Rail, it’s even easier to move around the giant metro. Here are 10 ancient architectural sites of Chennai which are full of historical and architectural significance, which you must see:

1 of 10 - Ripon Building

Ripon Building is the current HQ of the Corporation of Chennai © Saurabh Chatterjee / Flickr

Ripon Building, 10 minutes away (about 1.1 km) from Chennai Central Railway Station, is the headquarters and official seat of the Greater Chennai Corporation in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Built in 1913, this magnificent majestic all-white structure is a fine example of neoclassical architecture, painted in white as per the Indo-Sarasenic tradition with British-era architects. And along with a Westminster Quarters Chime Clock, built in the central building of this heritage building, is accompanied by a mind-charmer detailing and décor. The Ripon Building was named after Lord Ripon, the then Governor General of British India, from 1880 to 1884. The building as three storeys has seen some renovation and maintenance to maintain its original splendour over the years.

2 of 10 - Higginbotham’s

This Chennai city of India claims about some heritage things including Higginbotham’s, the oldest bookstore in India. It is an Indian bookstore chain and this huge bookstore has the status of india's first city. Located in the Heritage Majestic Building, the door of the Higginbotham’s bookstore was first opened in 1844 by Englishman Abel Joshua Higginbotham, who incidentally had arrived in India as a stowaway on a British ship. India's oldest book shop has moved to the current location arterial Anna Salai road in 1904. The company has set up its second bookstore in Bangalore, located on MG Road in 1905, the oldest existing bookstore in the city.

3 of 10 - Madras High Court

Madras High Court is the second oldest High Court in India © Yoga Balaji / WikiCommons

The Madras High Court located in Chennai, Tamil Nadu is the second oldest High Court in India after the Calcutta High Court in Kolkata. Spread out over 107 acres of land and completed with two lighthouses, compared to the Madras High Court complex, you couldn’t find another major example of the exquisite Indo-Saracenic style of architecture in India. The court is one of the three High Courts of India which has been established on 26 June 1862 by patenting letters granted by Queen Victoria in three Presidencies Town, Madras, Bombay and Calcutta. The structure was designed by JW Brassington and later completed in 1892 by renowned British architect Henry Irwin, who is claimed to have been influenced by architect Robert Chisholm. Many buildings in the court complex are beautiful - featuring beautiful domes with terracotta detailing, minarets, corridors, ceilings and stained-glass doors and windows with fine designs display spectacular combinations. The interior of the complex is a unique example of the skills of local and British artisans and the magnificent view above the dome visible from the campus cannot be overlooked; There is also a full-fledged museum that you can visit.

4 of 10 - Senate House

Situated in the Madras University campus area on Wallajah Road, along Marina Beach, the Senate House is the administrative centre of the university in Chennai with amazing design. The Senate House is a stunning building, built with stained-glass windows, scenic porticos and especially domes with exquisitely architectural design with rich myriad details. Built between 1874 and 1879 by British architect Robert Chisholm, this British-era building is an excellent and oldest example of colonial Indo-Saracenic architecture in India. The design of the Senate House covers Hindu, Mughal and Gothic architectural styles. Also, the monument, equipped with four minarets and domes painted in earthy colours, cannot be ignored the Byzantine architectural elements - it gives an perfect example.

5 of 10 - Government Museum

Est. in 1851, is spread out over the 16-acre in Pantheon Complex © L.vivian.richard / WikiCommons

One of the most historical places of Chennai, the Government Museum of Chennai (Madras Museum), established in 1851, is spread out over the 16-acre Pantheon Complex, in which you will find a group of buildings including Museum Theatre, Contemporary Art Gallery and Bronze Gallery. It is a museum of Human-related history and Cultural heritage, the second oldest museum in India after the Indian Museum in Kolkata in India. There are many museums in the world, but it is considered particularly rich in archaeological and numismatic collections and includes a repository of a lot of treasures, including art, anthropology. The museum theatre is built in Italianate-style, while the front part of the National Gallery of Art deserves appreciation built in indo-sarasenic style. It is the third largest museum in the world, the largest collection of Roman antiques outside the Continent of Europe. It includes famous British modern art and rare European and Asian paintings, historical sculptures, as well as including beautiful paintings of Raja Ravi Varma.

6 of 10 - St. George’s Fort

Fort St George is known for their first establishment by the British in India, built by the British East India Company on the coast of the Bay of Bengal in 1640. It is located in the modern coastal city of Chennai (historical name, Madras). St. George's Fort, built during the British colonial period, was a center for an important trading purpose for the East India Company. Later, around the fort, a full-fledged city was developed soon, the construction of which gave rise to further settlements and trade activity in uninhabited lands. Fort St George One of the beautiful examples of British architecture, it was built at a cost of £ 3,000. Currently, this important fort is a seat of the Government of Tamil Nadu, a house of legislative council and a building of other administrative offices. In time, the British built many new structures within the fort, including the famous St. Mary’s Church, Wellesley House, a Flag Staff and the Fort Museum.

7 of 10 - Valluvar Kottam

Dedicated as a tribute to Saint Thiruvalluvar © Anand Krishnamoorthi / Flickr

A relatively new monument, Valluvar Kottam, located at the on of the Kodambakkam High road and the Village road in Nungambakkam city of Chennai, is the largest Tamil cultural significance site in the city. Which is dedicated in 1976 as a tribute to Saint Thiruvalluvar, the author of the great classical Tamil poet Thirukkural. However, very little is known about his life - it is said that he was born between the 4th and 1st centuries BC. The temple chariot-shaped monument was built in 1970s by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, one of Asia's largest auditoriums. About three thousand stone blocks were used in the construction of the philosophical memorial. The front hall corridor of this structure depicts 133 chapters of Thirukkural written by Saint Thiruvalluvar which lead people to lead a life of righteousness. Its most important feature is the ornate 128-foot (39 m high) replica of the chariot of the temple with a life-size statue.

8 of 10 - Kapaleeshwarar Temple

Kapaleeshwarar Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Kesava Perumal Sannathi St. in Mylapore district of Chennai in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. Mylapore Kapaleeshwarar Temple is considered to be the construction of as a majestic example of Tamil architecture in Chennai. The center of Hindu culture in South India, apart from the majestic Gopurams with figures in this temple, the surrounding Ponds and Agraharams in the temples reflect the salient features of ancient Tamil architecture. Temple Built by the powerful Pallavas empire in the 7th century CE, the original Kapaleeshwarar Temple was destroyed by Portuguese invasion and the Santhome Church was built in its place. The presently much awaited Kapaleeshwarar temple was later renovated by the Vijayanagar dynasty, which now stands in the heart of the city with all its magnificent beauty. The form of worship of Shiva's wife Parvati ji in the Kapaleeshwarar temple is called Karpagambal.

9 of 10 - Connemara Public Library

There was a former section of a cultural complex named as The Pantheon. One of the historical places in Chennai, the Connemara Public Library, named after Lord Connemara - one of the former Governors of the city of Chennai (historical name, Madras) during the British rule in India - this library located in Egmore, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, is one of the four National Depositories of India - was established in 1890. This india's largest and oldest library is a repository of centuries-old publications, with some of the country's most respected works have a collection of over 600,000 books - including rare books, a vast collection of records and decades-old periodicals, including ancient texts. It is mandatory for every publisher in India to submit a copy of each of its publications to the Connemara Public Library. It also serves as a depository library for the United Nations. The library on The Pantheon Road in Egmore is located in the government museum complex - Irving, was an architect, designed the main building based on the architectural design of the British Museum Library - including the government museum and the National Art Gallery.

10 of 10 - Dakshinachitra

Do you consider as curious to know - it is a perfect destination - to know how long the different communities in Tamil Nadu and all other regions of South India survived, DakshinaChitra in Chennai plunges you into different cultural history. DakshinaChitra is one of the most renowned and widely known living history museums located in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, the Indian state, which preserves an imprint of South Indian heritage and culture in India. It was opened to the public on 14th December 1996 under a project of Madras Craft Foundation (MCF) to promote the culture of South India in the global scenario, an NGO which was established in 1984.The museum is home to exhibits of 4,220 artefacts and 1,000,000 pictures, including Indian heritage - crafts, architecture, lifestyle, and performing arts that's belong to South India.

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