Konda Reddy Fort

Konda Reddy Fort, also called Kurnool Fort, stands in the centre of Kurnool. The Vijayanagara emperor Achyuta Devarayalu had it built between 1530 and 1542 CE, and later ruling houses used it as a seat of defence and administration.

Its best-known structure is Konda Reddy Burz, a two-storey bastion shaped like a massive pillar. It served as a prison, and the tower takes its name from Konda Reddy, who died there in the 17th century; an underground passage of about 25 km is said to run from its first storey to Alampur across the Krishna. Close by, the Erra Buruju watchtower of red sandstone bears carvings of Goddess Yellamma with a buffalo, a mythical lion, and Indra riding Airavata beside the kalpavriksha, with two small Yellamma temples at its base.