Laxmi Vilas Palace

About Laxmi Vilas Palace, Vadodara

Royal Gaekwad residence larger than Buckingham Palace

• Laxmi Vilas Palace serves as the private residence of the Gaekwad royal family of Baroda.
• Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III commissioned British architect Major Charles Mant to construct the property in 1890 in the Indo-Saracenic architectural style.
• Visitors can inspect the grand Darbar Hall, known for its Venetian mosaic floors, Belgian stained glass windows, and Italian marble statues.
• The palace grounds span hundreds of acres and contain sprawling gardens, a golf course, and the Navlakhi stepwell.
• Inside, an audio tour directs visitors past collections of European armaments, bronze sculptures, and original oil paintings by Raja Ravi Varma.
• The palace museum displays royal clothing and historic silverware.
• Visit between October and March to avoid peak summer heat.
• The site opens from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM Tuesday through Sunday, remaining closed on Mondays and national holidays.