Heritage Museum Gunfoundry
| Place | Hyderabad |
|---|---|
| State | Telangana |
| Virtual Museum | No |
| Year of Establishment | 1976 |
| Museum Type | Archaeological / Rescue Museum |
| National Importance Museum | Yes |
| Address | No. 5-9-143, Gun Foundry, opp. Lepakshi, Hyderabad, 500001 |
| Visiting Time | 10:30 AM – 05:00 PM (Saturday–Thursday) Closed on Fridays and Public Holidays. |
| Entry Fee | Free Entry |
Museum Introduction
Established in 1997, the Heritage Museum, Gunfoundry (also known as the Centenary Heritage Museum) is located in the historic Gunfoundry area of Hyderabad. It is housed in the Srisailam Pavilion, a building originally constructed in 1976 by the Irrigation and Projects Department. The museum was created to preserve and display antiquities salvaged from the submergence areas of the Yeleswaram and Srisailam reservoirs in the Krishna River valley.
General Collections
The museum features a significant collection of archaeological relics spanning from the prehistoric to the medieval periods. Galleries include terracotta figurines, stone sculptures, wood carvings, ivory objects, and porcelain. It also houses specialized sections for Paleolithic tools and Megalithic burial artifacts recovered from various excavation sites across Telangana.
Unique Historical Collections
Srisailam Temple Replicas: Detailed scale models of ancient temples that were physically relocated or submerged during the Srisailam project. Kondapur Terracottas: A rare collection of exquisite terracotta moulds and figurines from the Satavahana period. Temple Archway: A magnificent traditional temple arch at the entrance of the Srisailam Pavilion that serves as a major architectural highlight. Prehistoric Gallery: Displays of tools used by Neolithic humans, including saddles and axes used for domestication.
Additional Information
| Archaeological Survey of India | No |
|---|---|
| Notes | The museum is situated opposite the Golkonda Handicrafts Emporium (Lepakshi) and beside Mahboobia College. It is often referred to as a "rescue museum" because much of its primary collection was saved from being lost forever due to dam construction. The building's circular interior pathway is noted for its unique aesthetic. |
| Artifacts | Stucco pieces from Gollathagudi; Ivory combs and dice from Kotilingala; Shell bangles and antimony rods; Megalithic iron implements; 10th-century stone carvings; Traditional temple door-jambs; Painted scrolls and manuscripts. |
| Highly Descriptive | Yes |
| Contact Details | +91 40 2323 4942 |
| Email ID | directorheritage-tg@telangana.gov.in |