CHARMINAR

Emblematic monument of Hyderabad, the Charminar would be like the Parisian Arc de Triomphe, but topped by a mosque. Four minarets point to the sky held and connected by an arch with four openings. If it is possible to climb to the^first floor by one of the towers, the mosque, located on the^second floor, is not visited.

The reasons for the construction of this emblematic building in 1591 differ. Some say it was to celebrate the eradication of the plague that had decimated the city. Others claim that Sultan Muhammad Quli Qutab Shah wanted to mark the move of his capital from Golconda to Hyderabad. Jean de Thévenot, a French explorer in the 17th century, reports in his diary that the arch was built to celebrate the entry of the Hegira into its second millennium.

The site chosen for the construction of the Charminar is also emblematic. In the heart of the city at the time, it is located at the crossroads of the trade routes of Golconda - the ancient capital - and the port of Machilipatnam. Each of the streets comes up against one of the four monumental arches of the building. The building is topped by four minarets with double balconies and a small bulbous dome. You can climb the 149 steps to the^first floor by taking one of the staircases hidden in each of the towers. From the top, you have an interesting view of Hyderabad and the nearby Mecca Masjid which can accommodate 10,000 worshippers. It is the second largest mosque in India and is said to be the seventh largest in the world.