Sreerampore
From 1755, Sreerampore was administered by Denmark under the name of Frederiksnagore. Their flourishing trade attracted merchants, weavers and workers along with Indian businessmen who built palatial houses. Soon it became famous as the most beautiful town in India. In 1777 the administration of Serampore was transferred directly to the Danish Crown which was managed with great success by Governor Ole Bie. He died in the year 1805 leaving a great Danish legacy in Serampore. However owing to growing competitions with the East India Company, Denmark sold the town to the British in 1845.
The buildings of Sreerampore visited by people in search of architectural splendour can be broadly grouped into three categories:
Danish establishments:
- Henry Martyn’s Pagoda
- Aldeen House
- Serampore College
- Serampore Johnnagar Baptist Church
- Danish Cemetery
- Mission Cemetery
- Danish Government House (Serampore Court)- This was the main administrative building and Governor's House built in 1771. Till 1999 it was used as law court. In 2016 it was declared as a heritage building by the West Bengal Heritage Commission.
The restored main gate |
Front view of Danish Government House |
- St Olav’s Church- This protestant church was one of the 100 buildings constructed by the Danish management between 1755 and 1845. today it is under the Churches of North India (CNI) and the Sreerampore College Council. A major restoration was done and the church received Asia Pacific Heritage Awards by UNESCO in 2016.
- Denmark Travern- Established in 1786 by British innkeeper James Par, this place was had lodging and café facilities for the passerby as advertised in the Calcutta Gazette. Soon it became a leisurely place witnessing culinary and sartorial elegance. After its restoration initiated by the National Museum of Denmark in partnership with Danish association Realdania and West Bengal Tourism Development Coorporation, this has become a frequented tourist destination. On February 2018 the renovated place was inaugurated by the Honorable Minister of State for Tourism and Information & Cultural Affairs in presence of ambassadors from Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland and Denmark.
- Jail
- Danish Canal
- Immaculate Conception Church
- Vheto
Rajbaris:
- Vivekananda Nidhi
- Seal Mansion
- Bose House
- Dey Bari
- Unique Lodge
- Sreerampore Raj Bari
Temple:
- Radha Ballav Temple
- Madanmohan Jiu Temple
- Ram Sita Mandir
- Jagannath Temple
- Rath of Mahesh
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