Golconda, also known as Golkonda or Golla konda, a fort of Southern India and capital of the medieval sultanate of the Qutub Shahi dynasty, is situated 11 kilometers west of Hyderabad.
This is one of the ancient places in the city to visit. Mind blowing architecture, Cave like structures, buildings and walls. This is a must visit place if you want to get the taste of the history, essence, and the legacy of Hyderabad. This shows you the engineering marvels of those old times.
The fort welcomes you with nice grass lawns on either side of the pathway.
Few meters up the path, the grand doorway stands tall in front of you. The doorway is huge enough to let elephants and chariots pass through it.
There is a lot of climbing on old stairs, over 500-feet up.
If you are new to Hyderabad taking a guide would be better to know the history and to understand how it's designed.
There are two options, an ~45-minute tour for 750 INR or an ~120-minute tour for 1,000 INR but may vary accordingly & try to bargain.
In the lobby, you will find a small museum that has some artefacts.
Your hand-clap in the middle of the entrance dome can be heard at the highest point of the pavilion almost a kilometre away. This was said to be used for warning the royals in case of an attack.
Even after almost 800 years, the fort still stands as one of Hyderabad’s greatest architectural wonders. The place has nice gardens, mosques, and mostly old structures that were once part of a real kingdom.
It took me 2 hours to climb to the top of the fort. After getting through the hand-clap you should walk crossing some mosques and garden then you can see your destination from below.
There is a lot of walking and we have to walk about 300 old stairs to reach to the top. After crossing 100 stairs you can see the view of the city around Golconda.
and after around 200 stairs this is how it looks.
Then to the top of the fort.
The fort has place where even when the sun is scorching you can feel cool breeze near it which now serves as canteen storage place to refrigerate goods.
At the top we can enjoy the wind blowing through and it feels so refreshed. From the top you can have a glance of the entire city.
Stay at the top enjoying the view from old windows and feel the cool and natural air & have fun.
Then start the return journey from top enjoying the scenery around you.
There will be a Laser Show at 7 P.M. The Laser Show will depict the history of the fort. It has prison of Kalidas (Famous Poet of region) who was jailed by the kings.
NOTE: Take a cap or hat if sunny. Keep some drinking water. Need at least 3 hours to see and enjoy the fort well. Well maintained.