Hampi was once the glorious capital of the mighty Vijayanagar Empire (1336 - 1565), which extended from the Arabian Sea to The Bay of Bengal and from the Deccan Pateau to the tip of the Indian Peninsula. 
Founded in the middle of 14th Century by two local princes, Hakka & Bukka, The Vijayanagar Empire came to be celebrated for its might and wealth and as a show piece of imperial magnificence. The city was sacked pillaged and burnt in 1565, after the combined attack of armies of Muslim Sultanates of the Deccan defeated the Vijayanagar Military Commander and the King fled the Capital. 

The Vijayanagar Kings were great patrons of Art & Architecture as evident by the vast ruins of Hampi. In an effort to resurrect this abandoned capital, the government has been involved in the restoration, excavation and protection of the ruins, which spread over an area of 26 sq.km. The terrain is dominated by rocky hills and the mighty Tungabhadra river which flows through this rugged landscape. 

Tungabhadra Dam 

This dam is 17 Kms from Hampi. The site of the dam built across the Tungabhadra river lies 15 Kms from Hospet. The high masonry dam is about 590m. long and 49 m. high. The reservoir has a storage capacity of 132,559 million cubic feet of water spread over an area of 379 sq.km. 

Virupaksha Temple 
The Virupaksha Temple is one of the few temples amidst ruins, still in worship. This temple is dedicated to Shiva, known here as Virupaksha or Pampapati. His consort Pampa is often associated with the Tungabhadra river. There is evidence of additions to the temple made in late Chalukyan and Hoysala period but most of the buildings are attributed to the Vijayanagar period. The eastern gateway, which is the largest, is 50 m. high. The main festivals of the temple are the Car festival in February and marriage festival of Virupaksha & Pampa in December which are attended by thousands of people each year. 

Elephant Stables 
These are a row of ten chambers with variously shaped vaulted roofs, built symmetrically on two sides of a central two storeyed pavilion. 

Queen's bath 
This water pavilion is better known as Queen's bath was built in an Islamic style consisting of a square water basin surrounded by a vaulted corridor . Elaborately decorated balconies project over the water. 

Vittala Temple 
In spite of its ruined condition, the Vittala Temple represents the highest achievements of Vijayanagar art. Built in the 16th Century , the complex is set within a rectangular court yard. The building housing the main sanctum is built on a lower level and its tower is made of brick and paste, The Purandara Festival, Celebrating birth anniversary of the Poet - Composer, is held in this temple in January-February. 

Krishna Temple 
In a badly ruined state now, the temple was patronised by the Great Vijayanagar King Krishnadevaray a himself. It was built in 1513 when an image of Balakrishna was installed here. 

Monolithic Ganesha 
South of the Virupaksha Temple , there are two Ganesha Images carved on boulders. One of them is enclosed in a temple and other stands within a an open hall. 

Monolithic Narasimha 
Beyond the Krishna temple Complex is the celebrated but badly damaged sculpture of Narasimha, carved out of a single boulder. The recent discovery of the detached figure of Lakshmi identified this massive sculpture as Yoga Lakshmi Narasimha. 

Hazara Rama Temple 
The temple built within rectangular complex lies at the hat of the royal center. Dating from the early 15th century, the hall of the Hazara Rama Temple has finely carved basalt pillars depicting the incarnations of Vishnu. Around the exterior walls of the hall are three rows of sculptures illustrating the main events from the Ramayana. 

Zenana Enclosure 
Northeast of the Hazara Rama Temple is the Zenana enclosure which may have been used wither by the king of his military commander. There is a strong Islamic influence in the buildings which comprise watch towers, a treasury of a storehouse and the Lotus Mahal. 

Royal Performance Zone 
In this area are the remains of civic buildings linked with the ritualistic and administrative functions of the royal court. There is a basement of 100 column hall, possibly serving a place of justice and a stepped stone platform from which the king observed the rights of Mahanavami festival. 

Royal residence 
Recent excavations have unearthed remains of places to the west of the Hazara Rama Temple. Though only the stone basements, plaster floors and fragments rubble walls can be seen today, the typical Vijayanagar palace was symmetrically designed with the sequence of rising levels in a 'U' formations, with the private chambers on the top. 

Achuta Raya Temple 
The Tirvengalanatha temple which was built during reign of Achuta Deva Raya is better known by the name of ruler. The temple within are in ruins, but some erotic sculpture can be seen in the columns inside the open halls near the main gateway. 

Kodandarama Temple 
Located below the Mathanga hill on the south bank of the Tungabhadra river is the Temple, commemorating the spot where lord Rama crowned Sugriva after killing Vali. There is an image of Lord Rama in the temple which attracts pilgrims. 

Museum & Art Gallery 
There is an Archaeological Survey of India museum in Kamalapur.

Air: One of the nearer airport is Bangalore (353 Kms.) Hampi can also be reached from Hyderabad via Raichur.
Rail: The nearest railhead is Hospet (13 Kms) which is connected to Bangalore Hubli & Guntakal.
Road: Hampi is connected by road to several important tourist centers.
Near By Places: 
Aihole (146 Kms), Badami (180 Kms), Bangalore (353 Kms),Bellary (74 Kms) 
Bidar (378 Kms), Bijapur (254 Kms), Gadag (264 Kms), Guntakal (133 Kms) 
Hassan (353 Kms), Hospet (13 Kms), Hubli (151 Kms), 
Tungabhadra (17 Kms)