Kondapalli Fort

Kondapalli Fort, also locally known as Kondapalli Kota, is located in the Krishna district, close to Vijayawada, the second largest city of Andhra Pradesh, India. The historic fort on the hill (Eastern Ghats) located to the west of the Kondapalli village was built by Prolaya Vema Reddy of Kondaveedu during the 14th century, initially as a pleasure place and a business centre, along with the Kondaveedu Fort in Guntur district. In later years, it was used as a military fortification and the British placed a strong garrison here.Apart from the fort, which is a major tourist attraction, another important artistic rural product of Kondapalli is the crafting of colourful toys, called the Kondapalli toys. A very light white wood (see image in gallery) is used to make the lively painted toys, including mythological figures, women and animals. This handicraft product has been given a Geographical Indication under the name కొండపల్లి బొమ్మలు "Kondapalli Bommalu" (Telugu means "Wooden"Telugu], Telugu means "Toys"Telugu]), as protection given to a reputed product.