Although Vijayanagar doesn't require much introduction, the following is the brief info about this great empire.....

The ruined city of VijayaNagar ( the City of Victory ) also known as Hampi..according to Ramayana was ruled by the monkey kings Vali and Sugriva.... The weird rocks, some balanced in perilous arches, others heaped in colossal, hill-sized piles, are said to have been flung down by their armies in a show of strength...

Between the fourteenth and sixteenth centuries, this was the most powerful Hindu capital in the Deccan...Travellers such as Domingo Paez, who stayed for two years after 1520, were astonished by its size and wealth, telling tales of market full of silk and precious gems, beautiful, bejeweled courtesans, ornate palaces and joyous festivities....

However, in the mid of sixteenth century, the dazzling city was devastated by a six month Muslim siege....

Important sites at and near Hampi

The Sasivekalu Pillayar, The Kadalekalu Pillayar, Virupaksha Temple, Vittala temple, Achyutaraya ( Tiruvengalanatha ) Temple, Krishna Temple, Anegondi, Lotus Mahal at Zenana enclosure, NobleMens' Quarters, Royal Enclosure, Matanga hill, Underground Shiva Temple,Band Tower, Mohamadean watch tower and Mosque near Mint Area, Hazara Rama Temple, Octagonal bath, Ragunatha temple, King's Balance, Elephant stables, BadavaLinga, Hemakuta Hills, Kotalinga, Bheema gate, PatabhiRama Temple at Kamalapuram, Temple at AnandaSayanaKudi, MuruganKoil at Kadiramapuram, Anjeyanadri Hill, Uddana Veerabhadra temple, LakshmiNarashimhar and many more....