• Great Journey The Lost City of Hampi: The Fabulous Indian Empire That Still Leaves the Traveler Incredulous
  • Leisure Ibiza with butler: this is the only all-inclusive (luxury) for adults on the island

It was a city comparable to Rome or Jerusalem in wealth and cultural strength that nevertheless fell into the deep pit of oblivion for centuries. "We knew only the ruins of that empire, and the memory of its history was also in ruins due to the passage of time, the imperfections of memory and the falsehoods of those who came after." Salman Rushdie rescues the splendor of Hampi in Ciudad Victoria, his latest novel, and returns the capital of the Vijayanagar empire to the map of the places that every explorer of beauty, magic and history would like to know.

With the epic of the Indian author in his suitcase, the best accommodation in this secluded place in the state of Karnataka is the Evolve Back Kamalapura Palace. Just four kilometers from the historical sites, it recreates the architecture of the kingdom that dominated southern India between 1336 and 1565, the date of the battle that sealed its destruction. In a landscape of rice fields, coconut palms, bananas and forest, within the green strip that surrounds the banks of the Tungabadra on the Deccan plateau, this land, which is among the oldest geologically on the planet, is dotted with gigantic berruecos in unlikely balance that make the imagination fly.

Bedroom in a villa Jal Mahal.TRAVEL

Granite, water, light and air as constructive elements. The Kamalapura Palace synthesizes the aesthetics of the old empire from its very entrance, inspired by the nearby fort of Anegundi, and collects the Indo-Islamic style of Hampi in all its rooms.

Inside, it is not hard to imagine what life must have been like there in its golden age, when it was "the best supplied city in the world", with "many trees and gardens irrigated by ditches and ponds" and "all kinds of rubies, diamonds, emeralds, pearls, aljofares and fabrics, and anything one wants to buy", as the Portuguese traveler Domingo Paes wrote in 1520 in his Chronica dos reis de Bisnaga. A sumptuousness present in the 37 suites of the Kamalapura Palace, all with various environments, jet pool and balcony or terrace. The Jal Mahal villas also have their own private pool.

Swimming pool in one of the villas Jal Mahal.TRAVEL

Two restaurants serve delicacies in international version, in the Tuluva, and Nawabi Indian style in the Bahmani. In the evenings there are several more private gazebos where you can enjoy an intimate evening by candlelight and stars.

In this hotel everything is designed to be the best retreat after a day visiting the ruins of ancient Hampi. Whether it's getting a treatment at its Ayurvedic spa, where you feel like a queen at the Lotus Mahal, or at the infinity pool overlooking the kingdom of Kishkindha that collects the sacred book of the Ramayana. Or in his reading room, studying with the caress of the breeze that circulates between his arches, the epic and tragic story of Hampi narrated by Rushdie.

Jet pool in a 'suite' Zenana.TRAVEL

Art, history and nature by the hand of experts

The Evolve Back Kamalapura Palace is a place to rest and learn. Expert historians offer guided tours of the Unesco World Heritage Site during the day and recall its legends at night in the hotel's 'Story Corner'. You can also explore with naturalists the exceptional environment, where bears, leopards, jackals, hyenas and wild boars live, as well as 200 species of birds. In addition, painting and photography have their space here.

Learn more. The hotel has 37 suites of three categories and nine villas with private pools. From 380 euros. Address: Hallikere Village, Hospet Taluk, Vijayanagara District, Karnataka, India. Internet: www.evolveback.com

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