Culture of Agra. Places to visit - old town, temples, theaters, museums and palaces

Taj Mahal is a unique historic landmark that brings millions of tourists to Agra. This spectacular palace was built in the first half of the 17th century. The Mughal emperor Shah Jahan commissioned it to immortalize his first wife who died while giving birth to their 14th child. The palace with the adjacent park is an incredibly beautiful and large complex. It was built from the most precious sorts of marble, and the most talented masters and painters created the intricate design of the Taj Mahal. A large landscaped park with spectacular fountains and thousands of exotic plants surrounds the palace. There are always many tourists and photographers in the Taj Mahal who always try to take the most attractive pictures of the famous landmark.

Besides the internationally famous palace, don’t forget to visit the legendary Agra Fort. This is another important attraction of the Mughal period. The main purpose of the giant architectural complex built from red bricks was to protect the area from alien invasions. The complex was rebuilt and expanded several times over the centuries. Today, almost the entire territory of the Fort of Agra is open for excursions. You can see a picturesque palace that once was an emperor’s residence and visit the emperor’s private rooms and halls that were used to host celebrations and important meetings. There are still an old mosque and merchant areas in the fort. This notable attraction is very big, and so it is better to dedicate the entire day to a visit to Agra Fort.

Jama Masjid is a fabulous mosque that is located in the historic part of Delhi. This is one of the most precious religious landmarks in the city. The construction of the mosque was finished in 1656. Jama Masjid is a precious attraction of the Mughal period. The mosque is built from sienna-colored limestone and has skillfully made marble cupolas. The shrine’s walls are covered with quotes from the Quran. Intricate details made from rare types of marble complete the unique design of the attraction. People practicing different religions are allowed to enter the mosque, not only Muslims. The most important: do not forget to take your shoes off before entering Jama Masjid and choose simple and non-revealing clothes for the excursion. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

There are several ancient Hindu temples in Agra, and they are also interesting to visit. For example, Shri Mankameshwar Mandir is located not far from the railway station. According to a legend, God Shiva himself established this temple. It is not clearly known when this temple was built because Shri Mankameshwar Mandir was rebuilt several times. Even the architectural style of this Hindu temple doesn’t give any details because the landmark is a combination of several architectural trends. Shri Mankameshwar Mandir has a spectacular artistic design. During an excursion here, visitors can see ancient artifacts made from silver, precious sorts of wood, and decorative stones.

In Agra, tourists can also visit the main Catholic church in the country – the magnificent Akbar's Church. The construction of this attraction started in the 16th century. Mughal Emperor Akbar the Great ordered to build it. Akbar’s Church is a gorgeous and eye-catching example of Baroque style. The church became abandoned closer to the mid-18th century. Later, it was decided to reconstruct the building. After this, the church got decent classical traits but some elements of the original Baroque design have survived to this day. The church hosts ancient Christian artifacts. Join an excursion to the Church of Akbar to see interesting old elements of décor.

The historic part of Agra lies to the west of the old fortress. This is one of the most attractive places for a stroll. Tourists can see many interesting buildings of different periods in this part of the city. Many buildings were transformed into artisan workshops and souvenir shops. The historic part of Agra is rich in attractions of the colonial period. Many tourists come to this part of the city to eat in numerous restaurants specializing in national food.

If you are interested in history, don’t forget to join an excursion to Sikandra. This is a large complex that houses several ancient tombs built for members of the emperor’s family yet at the beginning of the 17th century. Local farmers looted the tombs in the 17th and 18th centuries, stealing all precious artifacts. Some tombs lost even wall decorations. Nevertheless, the old constructions are still interesting to visit for all fans of history and architecture.

There are several important archaeological regions in Agra suburbs. For example, tourists can visit Fatehpur Sikri, a small city close to Agra that is mostly famous for its ancient ruins. A new and beautiful city was founded here by the order of the emperor at the end of the 16th century. The city was developing actively but soon a recession hit it, making the settlement deserted and forgotten.