Bella Vista

Bella Vista is a royal palace built in 1910 during the Hyderabad State era, now housing the Administrative Staff College of India (ASCI). Located in Somajiguda near Raj Bhavan, this Indo-European structure was designed by a French architect and originally constructed for Chief Justice Muslehuddin Mohammed. The palace sits on a 10-acre campus overlooking Hussain Sagar Lake and served as residence to Prince Azam Jah before becoming an educational institution in 1956.

Visitors can view the exterior of this heritage Indo-European palace from Raj Bhavan Road. The building features French architectural influences and stands on a verdant 10-acre campus. Public access to the interior is restricted as it functions as the ASCI campus, though organized heritage tours have been conducted by organizations like The Deccan Archive Foundation. The palace offers views toward Hussain Sagar Lake.

Constructed in 1905-1910 by Muslehuddin Mohammed (Hakim-ud-Dowla), Chief Justice of Hyderabad High Court. After his death in 1914, the palace was purchased by the last Nizam Mir Osman Ali Khan in 1917 for Rs 60,000 along with furniture. It served as residence to Prince Azam Jah, heir apparent to the Hyderabad throne, and his Ottoman bride Princess Durru Shehvar. Since 1956, it has housed the Administrative Staff College of India.

Named 'Bella Vista' meaning 'beautiful sight' by its French architect due to its overlook of Hussain Sagar Lake. Represents Indo-European architectural heritage of Hyderabad State era and modeled on Henley-on-Thames, England.