A Walking Tour Guide To Fort, Mumbai
Fort area of Mumbai is one of the oldest settlements in the city and features buildings dating back to the colonial era. It is a bustling business district today and was the heart of the city a century back. With most buildings in the area being at least 80 years old, this place is best explored on foot.
Fort On Foot
Fort is just perfect for a walking tour even in terms of the size of the area and it can be easily covered in a day. We start our tour of this area from one of the most prominent landmarks of Mumbai – Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus. Let’s walk!
1. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus
Earlier known as Victoria Terminus or VT, this railway station is one of the earliest stations built in India and dates back to 1888 and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It sports Indo-Saracenic architecture and is indeed an engineering marvel. You could also take a tour of the station’s Railway Museum.
Where: Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus Area, Fort, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400001
2. Municipal Corporation Building
The next stop on this tour is located right opposite the railway station. The Municipal Corporation Building of Mumbai was built in 1893 and features Gothic Revival style of architecture. This heritage building is now home to the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai and together with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, it makes for a great picture!
Where: 5, Mahapalika Marg, Fort, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400001
3. Flora Fountain
After walking through the entire Dr. Dadabhai Naoroji Road and marveling the beauty of buildings around, we arrive at the Flora Fountain. This ornately designed fountain depicts the Roman goddess Flora and is located at the center of the huge junction. Built entirely out of Portland stone, this monument is a sight to see, both during the day and at night.
Where: Veer Nariman Road, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Kala Ghoda, Fort, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400001
4. Rajabai Clock Tower
On walking further south, you can find the towering Rajabai Clock Tower in the Mumbai University Fort Campus. Modeled after Big Ben in London, this tower was completed in 1878 and overlooks the lush Oval Maidan. With 25 floors and a height of 85m, this was one of the tallest structures of those times. It is closed to the public but seeing this marvelous piece of engineering is an experience in itself.
Where: Karmaveer Bhaurao Patil Marg, Mantralaya, Fort, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400032
5. Jehangir Art Gallery
As you then walk south past the iconic Kala Ghoda statue, you will arrive at the Jehangir Art Gallery, one of the best art galleries in Mumbai. The gallery features some of the finest Indian art collections and it has its history intertwined with the renaissance of Indian art. The entry here is free of cost and you can also take some snacks at Samovar cafe inside.
Where: 161B, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Kala Ghoda, Fort, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400001
6. National Gallery of Modern Art
As you walk further down the street you will find the National Gallery of Modern Art. This gallery opened in 1996 and houses various displays of modern art by prominent artists and sculptors. If you’re a fan of modern art, this is a place you simply cannot miss out on visiting when taking a tour of Fort.
Where: Sir Cowasji Jahangir Public Hall, M G Road, Fort, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400032
7. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya
Right opposite the National Gallery of Modern Art is the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, which is the biggest museum in Mumbai. Earlier called the Prince of Wales Museum, this place has more than 50000 exhibits dating back to the times of even the Indus Valley Civilization.
Where: 159-161, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Fort, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400032
8. The Asiatic Society of Mumbai
The next stop on our journey is the Asiatic Society of Mumbai, located next to the Horniman Circle. This society was founded in 1804. The beautifully constructed building has a vast collection of literary works and 15000 of these are classified as rare and valuable. One of the most prized possessions of this library is the manuscript of Dante’s Divine Comedy; one of the only two in existence.
Where: Shahid Bhagat Singh Rd, Fort, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400001
9. Bombay Stock Exchange
Just a few meters away from the Horniman Circle is the oldest stock exchange of Asia, the Bombay Stock Exchange. This heavily secured area has the 29-floor stock exchange building and is bustling with the crowd throughout the trading hours. Being one of the biggest stock markets in the world, this place is a must-visit.
Where: Phiroze Jeejeebhoy Towers, Dalal Street, Mumbai Samachar Marg, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400001
10. Crawford Market
On your way back, do make a stop at the Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Mandal, also known as the Crawford Market. This century-old market has anything and everything for your daily needs. It was also the first building in India to be connected with electricity and even today has a completely different charm.
Where: Dhobi Talao, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus Area, Fort, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400001
On your journey, you may have come across many other important landmarks like the Oval Maidan, Horniman Circle, Kala Ghoda statue, to name a few. These places make up the soul of Mumbai’s Fort area. We hope that this guide gives you everything you need to plan your very own walking tour of Fort! Do let us know your reviews in the comments below once you undertake the journey. (Clubdeportestolima)
Image Credits: MakeMyTrip, Incredible India-Sanjeevni TV, Places Around Mumbai, YouthKiAwaaz, Financial Express
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