Hyderabad, December 13 (H.S.): The ‘City of Nizams’ is once again in the spotlight, with the majestic Falaknuma Palace at the centre of attention as Argentine football legend Lionel Messi visits India and chooses the iconic palace as his place of stay in Hyderabad.

Adding to the excitement surrounding his visit, Messi is scheduled to participate in a special programme titled ‘Meet and Greet with Messi’ at Falaknuma Palace on Saturday evening, drawing fans and admirers from across the city.

Perched atop a hill overlooking Hyderabad, Falaknuma Palace is among the city’s most splendid landmarks. Built in 1893 by Vikar-ul-Umra, the Prime Minister of the then Nizam, the palace was acquired in 1895 by the sixth Nizam of Hyderabad, Mir Mahbub Ali Khan, who made it his residence. Later, the seventh Nizam, Mir Osman Ali Khan, primarily used the palace as a royal guest house to host distinguished visitors from India and abroad.

Over the decades, Falaknuma Palace has witnessed several historic moments and hosted many prominent personalities. After the princely era, the palace was leased to the Taj Group, which undertook an extensive restoration and transformed it into a luxury heritage hotel, now known as Taj Falaknuma Palace. It is widely regarded as one of the world’s finest palace hotels, celebrated for its royal architecture, priceless interiors and unmatched hospitality.

The palace has continued to attract eminent guests in post-Independence India as well. The first President of India, Dr Rajendra Prasad, visited Falaknuma Palace in 1951, marking one of its earliest high-profile visits after Independence. In recent decades, it has also emerged as a preferred venue for grand celebrations and international events.

On November 18, 2014, Bollywood actor Salman Khan hosted his sister’s wedding at Taj Falaknuma Palace, an event that drew nationwide attention. Later, on November 28, 2017, the Central government hosted a prestigious banquet at the palace during the Global Entrepreneurship Summit. The dinner, held at the palace’s famous 101-seater dining table, was attended by global dignitaries, including Ivanka Trump, daughter of US President Donald Trump.

With Lionel Messi now choosing Falaknuma Palace as his residence during his Hyderabad visit, the historic landmark adds yet another notable chapter to its legacy. From Nizams and presidents to global icons and football legends, Falaknuma Palace continues to stand as a symbol of Hyderabad’s royal heritage and timeless grandeur.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar