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The buildings of a city shape its character, and people choose their landmarks for the most varied reasons. From a road to a water-body, from a building to a bus-stand, it can be anything. But some of these landmarks have stood the test of time. Blessed with many prestigious and grandiose buildings that make us unique, Visakhapatnam as a city has chosen its landmarks. And in the fond hope that they do not give way to swanky looking (admit it, all swanky look the same) upmarket malls, we list the 5 landmark spots that we want to see staying the same.
The Andhra University
Ranking top of the list is, of course, the sprawling campus of Andhra University with its buildings done in the stonework.
When: 1926
The Structure: Spreading over 170 hectares, the colonial architecture here makes it a landmark that the city dwellers take pride in. With Founder Vice-Chancellor as Sir C.R. Reddy and Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan as the second Vice-Chancellor, the campus has 23 hostels, over 300 staff quarters and many other modern amenities as well.
The Fact: An internationally reputed center for learning, the campus is renowned to be one of the oldest ones to start an engineering college in the country.
The Turner’s Choultry
Named after popular former Visakhapatnam Collector, Mr. Henry Gribble Turner, the building is used for book exhibitions and also as affordable stay for people visiting KGH.
When: 1898
The Structure: The rectangular shaped Turner’s Choultry has a big central courtyard, surrounded on either side by rooms. Its antiquity and architectural splendour are vividly visible in its stone columns and the facade on the entrance door. The floral patterns vie for attention at the entrance.
The Fact: Located on the main road near Purna market, the lodging facility was constructed with contributions from philanthropists like Maharaja Gode Narayana Gajapathi Row of Chemudu region.
St. Joseph’s College for Women
The pride of its students who call themselves Josephines, this college has marked its place not just as an educational institution of repute but also as a landmark in the city.
When: 1958
The Structure: Standing beside the railway station, the grey and blue building of St. Joseph’s college has been synonymous with good education and all-round development. The grand church with its many buttresses makes it a matter of pride for the students and also the city dwellers.
The Fact: Established on popular demand for an educational institution for girls, St. Joseph’s college keeps its standards high and offers classes from lower kindergarten up to Post Graduation.
Beach Road
A beloved place for all city dwellers, right from the chai-wala to the chartered accountant, irrespective of their age or social status is this destination, which literally unites the entire city into one.
The Structure: Stretching from the Park Hotel at one end to the Hawa Mahal on the other, the stretch of the RK Beach road is an example of how a city chooses its landmarks in varied ways.
The Fact: With the Kursura museum, Kali temple and many other interesting places to visit for tourists, this is also where the city residents head to for their street food, morning walks or just to unwind.
Jagadamba theatre
An iconic theatre that brought amazing cinema to the city and lend its name to the region around it.
When: 1970
The Structure: In times when all theatres begin to look the same with their standardised features, Jagadamba reminds us of a rich past and attention to detail. Spread over 4200 sq yards, the iconic structure with its 1200 seats has an exotic spiral ramp leading to the balcony.
The Fact: It opened with ‘Where eagles dare’ and went on to show many films thus becoming a junction where movie aficionados would flock to, and later on lending the junction its name.
