The Royal Stables Of Hampi, India

Hampi, a UNESCO heritage site, is a village in the south of India, located within the ruins of the ancient Vijayanagara. 

The village boasts with magnificent ancient temples, palaces and other monuments as well as a unique set of structures that used to be elephant stables. These stables are made from brick and mortar and are an example of Indo-Islamic architecture. 

There are eleven large stables, each covered with a unique-shaped dome. The centre stable is larger and more decorated than the others, the reason for this still remains a mystery. It is said that during its peak, the Vijayanagara empire had over 10 000 elephants. 

Only ten of the best elephants were chosen to serve the royalty and were kept in these elaborate stables.