8 Fantastic Must-Visit Historical Places in Chennai
Chennai, the capital city of Tamil Nadu, has been one of India's most sought-after historical places since the period of colonization. Most visitors visit this cosmopolitan city for its splendid beaches and historical monuments. Even though many hate history during schooling, historical places are a thing of awe for all. There are many historical places in Chennai, but only a few attract visitors.
Best Historical Places of Chennai
1. Government Museum
Have you ever seen a 10th-century artefact? The Government Museum of Chennai will enlighten you on ancient relics. With some of the oldest relics and artefacts dating back to the 10th and 13th centuries, this government museum is part of the great historical places of Chennai.
Location: Pantheon Road, Egmore, Chennai
Timings: 9.30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Entry Fee: For Indians – INR 15 for adults & INR 10 for children; for foreign nationals, INR 250 for adults & INR 125 for children
Camera Fee: INR 500 for a video camera and INR 200 for a still camera
2. Valluvar Kottam
Valluvar Kottam is one of the most fantastic historical places in Chennai. It is an artistic chariot intricately built in honour of Thiruvalluvar, one of the greatest Tamil scholars known for his poems and teachings. It is located very near the Nungambakkam branch of the Upar Hotel; you can visit this historical place in Chennai during your stay there.
Location: Tirumurthy Nagar, Nungambakkam, Chennai
Timings: 8.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m.
Entry Fee: INR 3 for adults and INR 2 for children
3. Connemara Public Library
Love being a bookworm? Connemara Public Library is one of Chennai's historical places where bookworms feast. It is one of the four depository libraries in the country, where you can find almost every literary work published in India. Built-in 1890, it is one of India's biggest and oldest libraries, where literature, intrinsic architecture, and exceptional design work come together.
Location: Pantheon Road, Egmore, Chennai
Timings: 9 a.m. to 7.30 p.m. and 9.30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays
Entry Fee: Free (the library is open to people aged 17 and above)
4. Santhome Cathedral Basilica.
Looking for places that portray the historical importance of Chennai? You should check out the neo-gothic architectural wonder of Santhom Basilica. This 16th-century cathedral believed to entomb the apostle St. Thomas's remains, is hallowed ground for pilgrims. You can visit these sacred grounds while staying at the Upar Hotel Nungambakkam branch, fulfilling your spiritual needs.
Location: Santhome High Road, Chennai
Timings: 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Entry Fee: NIL
5. Alamparai Fort
The Alamparai Fort is one of the historical places in Chennai, built by the Mughals in the 18th century as an important seaport on the shores of the Bay of Bengal. During the Carnatic War, the fort was passed from French officers to British colonists. The war and time have not been kind to this fort, which has now deteriorated. Still attracted by its ruins and the historical importance of Chennai, an assortment of visitors arrive at this fort daily in mass.
Location: Edaikazhinadu (approx 83 km from Upar Hotels, Uthandi, Chennai)
Timings: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Entry Fee: NIL
6. Victoria Public Hall
The Town Hall, or Victoria Memorial Hall, in Chennai, was built in honour of Queen Victoria's golden jubilee in 1887. This Romanesque-style architecture is something that catches the eye of every passerby. This building and the fountain at the front add this hall to the annals of historical places of Chennai.
Location: Egmore, Chennai
Timings: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Entry Fee: INR 15 for adults and INR 10 for children
7. Adyar Theosophical Society
When we think of historical places in Chennai, the Theosophical Society at Adyar comes to mind first. When we consider the diverse cultural implications of secular India, theosophy played an essential part in developing a sense of brotherhood among religions. Founded in 1875, it's a sprawling campus of 108 acres where shrines belonging to Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, Christians, and Zoroastrians are scattered in the same complex. The 450-year-old banyan tree and the old library also play an important part in improving the historical value of society.
Location: Blavatsky Avenue, Adyar, Chennai
Timings: 8.30 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. (closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays)
Entry Fee: Free
8. Fort St George
Do you know what the first establishment made by the British in India was? Fort St. George, built in 1640, was the first British settlement in India. For a free and democratic India, this fort plays an integral part in its history. The historical importance of Chennai can be best noted through the involvement of this fort in the freedom movements. Now, it's taken care of by the Archeological Survey of India and acts as an Indian Army Base.
Location: Rajaji Salai, Fort St George, Chennai
Timings: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed on Fridays)
Entry Fee: For Indians – INR 5 for Indians; For Foreign Nationals, INR 100
If you are interested in visiting these historical places of India, you can book at one of the Upar hotels scattered around Chennai. It is one of the best hotel franchises in Chennai, where you can spend your time and gain a more detailed analysis of various attractions and fantastic experiences in Chennai.
Read our other blogs to know everything about hotels, travel, and things to do in Chennai, Bangalore and Goa.