Mumbai heritage walk- Story of Gothic and Art Deco buildings
Description
In 1661 Bombay was a collection of swampy islands given to the British as part of a royal dowry, leased to the East India Company for ten pounds a year. What followed over two centuries was one of the most extraordinary urban transformations in history. The Victorian Gothic and Art Deco buildings of South Mumbai are now a UNESCO World Heritage Site — recognised as the finest concentration of Art Deco architecture outside Miami. This three hour Mumbai walking tour covers the greatest of them: CST, one of the finest Victorian Gothic buildings in Asia. Eros and Regal Cinema, Art Deco masterpieces from the 1930s. Rajabai Tower, the Big Ben of Mumbai. And the Gateway of India, through whose arch the last British troops marched on 28 February 1948. Expert cultural guide included. 5 Senses Tours is recognised by the Department of Tourism, a winner of the Outlook Responsible Tourism Award and the Tripadvisor Travellers Choice Award.
Tour Options
Itinerary
A UNESCO heritage building, CST is arguably the best example of Victorian Gothic Revival architecture in India. What is remarkable is that the Gothic elements are blended with themes deriving from Indian traditional architecture. With more than 6 million daily commuters, CST is one of the busiest train stations in the world.
We visit Eros Cinema and see it from outside. It is a fine cinema hall built in Art Deco style. We will notice that the building resembles a wedding cake as it rises in tiers topped by a semi-circular tower!
We next walk to an impressive residential Art Deco building called Empress Court. We will see it from outside. We will discuss about how living in these Art Deco building used to be a symbol of status and wealth!
Next we will visit the High court building of Mumbai from outside. It is a splendid specimen of Gothic architecture. We will look for the statues of Justice & Mercy on top of the building which serve as an inspiration for law abiding citizens!
Its time to visit the Big Ben of Mumbai. Listen to the story of how it got financed to help the visually challenged mother of the patron to listen to the chimes and keep her fasts punctually! This building will be seen from outside.
We will get to know a Jewish banker named David Sassoon who built a magnificent Gothic structure as a reading room and library. Only members are allowed inside and so we will see it from the lobby.
We will appreciate the architecture of Elphinston College, a remarkable Gothic structure. The institution has an illustrious alumni including Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Dr BR Ambedkar and Jamshedji Tata. This building will be seen from outside.
The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya or the Prince of Wales Museum is housed in a magnificent heritage building which was earlier used as a military hospital for the Children’s Welfare Exhibitions during the first world war. The Museum was built in order to commemorate the visit of King George V to Mumbai. This building will be seen from outside.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(38)
Our experience with Pankaj was just amazing. He was truly the best tour guide we have ever had on any tour in any city we’ve ever been to. He went above and beyond to make sure we were comfortable and well taken care of. He was very patient in the morning when we arrived late. Even when we had a small problem with one of the trains we took, he went out of his way to make sure it all got ironed out smoothly. And there were no more issues. We can’t say enough good things about him. We would highly highly highly recommend him to anyone.
An excellent tour and in depth commentary 👌 on British colonial and the East India Company and cultures that formed Mumbai. The tour was flexible with neat added aspects - rail trip and Crawford market , Leopold Cafe and Taj Hotel 2008 massacre event- all quite special . Pankaj also deftly modified the walking content with taxi segments in very hot weather. Thoroughly recommend 5 Senses and their guide Pankaj Kevin and Jenny C
5/5 Stars - Excellent Tour Guide and Route
We enjoyed a wonderful walking tour with our guide Pankaj. He provided a great history of the area and was open to answer questions about sites and culture. Beginning with a tour of Victoria station and a short train ride (out and back) we went on to explore several sites over about a 4 mile walk. Pankaj made sure we were hydrated and ready to keep going (it was of course scorching hot). At the end of the tour he even walked us over to a place he recommended for lunch. Truly wonderful. We plan to return to Mumbai in March 2027 with a group of students from the US and will use this tour again for them.
Our walking tour with Pankaj was delightful. We had no idea of the beautiful architecture and gardens in Mumbai, and Pankaj was so knowledgeable about everything. We ate a delicious, typical lunch and even had a train ride. All in all, a thorough and enjoyable tour.
When Pankaj asked me about my interests, he tailored my walking tour to capture the many architectural marvels the city of Mumbai had to offer; from the now gentrified tenements of the former labourers who toiled in the sun, to the gothic styled educational institutions, Victorian-era railway stations & colonial buildings, to what must be the largest collection of Art Deco buildings I've ever seen, & the blending of northern & southern Indian styles in temples. My guide was not only knowledgeable & passionate about this city he loves so much, he was able to make it come alive for me. I would highly recommend him.
It was a great experience! We had a great guide who explained the history and architecture of Mumbai in such an engaging way. It was wonderful to mingle with the locals and see their vibrant daily life. Highly recommend!
Pankaj, our guide was excellent. He was very knowledgeable, helpful and enthusiastic. His stories about the history of Mumbai were both interesting and entertaining. I thoroughly recommend this tour. We have been to Mumbai a number of times before but learned so much more. It was really one of the highlights of our stay in Mumbai.
This was a great tour! Pankaj is very knowledgeable and shared so much interesting information about the history & architecture of Mumbai. I really enjoyed my time and would recommend to anyone traveling here.
Pankaj was an amazing guide. We spent 3 hours walking around magnificent building's built in Gothic and Art deco style across South Mumbai. The stories behind the buildings were fascinating. This is a wonderful way to spend 3 hours and get a great understanding of Mumbai's rich history. I will highly recommend this to everyone coming to Mumbai.
