Thanjavur Maratha Palace, Royal palace and museum in Thanjavur, India
The palace spreads across multiple buildings and displays tall towers, wide courtyards, decorated pillars, and ornamental details throughout its layout. Each section of the complex connects different building styles that developed over centuries.
Built between the 16th and 18th centuries, this residence served the Maratha rulers who governed the region after the Nayak dynasty. Later additions and modifications reflect the changing influences of successive rulers.
The Saraswathi Mahal Library within the palace holds more than 30,000 manuscripts in Indian and European languages, documenting centuries of scholarly work. Visitors today can walk through galleries and see how royal ceremonies and learned life once existed side by side.
The museum displays collections of bronze statues, stone carvings, weapons, and royal objects in multiple galleries open daily from 10 AM to 5 PM. Walking through the different sections takes about two to three hours.
The watchtower rises seven stories and offers views across the city while combining elements from Rajasthani, Maratha, and European styles. In the upper levels, you can see how different building traditions interlock.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
