The short answer
Konda Reddy Buruju: what visitors should know first
Yes, as a short city stop. It is the one clear remnant of old Kurnool, takes about 45 minutes, and the upper floors give a view over the rooftops. Go in the morning, expect steps and uneven stone, and check current opening arrangements locally.
History and context
The story behind Konda Reddy Buruju
Accounts of the fort's origin differ. One account dates the first fort to the Vijayanagara period in the early 16th century, with the gateways added in the 17th century by Gopala Raja, a grandson of Rama Raya. The name comes from Konda Reddy, described as the last ruler of Alampur, who according to local tradition was imprisoned here by the Nawab of Kurnool and escaped through underground tunnels.
The structure served as a watchtower in the 17th and 18th centuries. Treat the construction dates as approximate, since published sources do not agree.
Useful facts
Konda Reddy Buruju facts at a glance
- Location
- Central Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh
- Experience type
- Climbable bastion and tower
- Known for
- Surviving piece of old city fortifications
- Built
- Vijayanagara-era origin; gateways 17th century (sources vary)
- Time or schedule
- Check opening hours locally
Why it matters
Why Konda Reddy Buruju is worth your time
For a town whose growth over the centuries has swallowed most of its defences, this tower is the clearest physical link to how Kurnool began. Its military purpose as a watchtower, and its association with the rulers of Alampur and Kurnool, make it a useful first stop for understanding the region's layered history under Vijayanagara successors and later the Nawabs.
It is also a place the town uses today: recent restoration has made it popular with local families and young people, which means you see Kurnool as it is, not only as a monument. It is modest, but it gives the city a point of reference that most visitors otherwise miss.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
The observation tower
The top floor looks over the roofs of Kurnool and is the reason to climb.
- 02
The portico and enclosures
The first floor has a large portico and several stone enclosures that show how the bastion was used.
- 03
The bastion outline
Seen from outside, the semi-circular shape is the clearest remaining outline of the old fort wall.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Treat Konda Reddy Buruju as a compact heritage stop rather than a full fort visit. What stands today is a semi-circular bastion topped by a tower, the only surviving piece of Kurnool's earlier fort walls, built of stone and mud. Start by walking around the outside to see the scale of the bastion and the later gateways, then go in and climb to the first floor, where there are several enclosures and a large portico.
From there continue to the second floor, where a large observation tower looks over the city. The view is the main reward, and it is best in the early morning when the light is soft and the town is quieter. The ground level is reported as closed, and tunnels associated with local legend are locked to the public, so do not plan around them.
Keep the visit short. After the tower, pair it with the nearby tomb of Abdul Wahab Khan and a meal in the city. Wear shoes with good grip, as the stone floors can be worn and uneven, and carry water if you go after mid-morning.
Plan with confidence
Small decisions that make the visit easier.
- Go in the morning when it is cooler
- Wear shoes with good grip for worn stone
- Expect the lowest level and tunnels to be closed
- Confirm opening arrangements on arrival
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Central Kurnool, about 2 km from Kurnool City railway station
- Time needed
- 45 minutes to 1 hour
- Best time
- Early morning or late afternoon, November to February
- Walking level
- Moderate
- Senior comfort
- There are steps and uneven stone floors between levels, and handrails or seating may be missing in places. Older visitors can enjoy the outside and the lower areas, and leave the top floor to the more agile in the group.
- Tickets and access
- Open to visitors according to published accounts, but entry fees and opening hours are not clearly published. Check locally on arrival, and do not assume the lowest level can be entered.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Konda Reddy Buruju
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
There are steps and uneven stone floors between levels, and handrails or seating may be missing in places. Older visitors can enjoy the outside and the lower areas, and leave the top floor to the more agile in the group.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
Can you go inside Konda Reddy Buruju?
Published accounts say visitors can climb to the first and second floors, though the ground level is closed. Confirm current access locally.
Is it suitable for older visitors?
The outside and lower areas are manageable, but the upper floors involve steps and uneven stone, so many older visitors will prefer to stay low.
Who was Konda Reddy?
According to local tradition he was the last ruler of Alampur, held here by the Nawab of Kurnool. The story of his escape through tunnels is a legend.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
