Gothic and Art Deco: the back story

About Gothic and Art Deco: the back story

By the ULTIMATE Mumbai Editorial Team

South Mumbai has three UNESCO World Heritage Sites within reach of each other: Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (2004), the Victorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensembles of Mumbai (2018), and, across the harbour, the Elephanta Caves (1987).

The Gothic City

Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, designed by F. W. Stevens, was built over ten years from 1878. UNESCO describes its stone dome, turrets and pointed arches as close to traditional Indian palace architecture, and the building as the symbol of Bombay as the “Gothic City”.

Art Deco by the sea

In the second half of the 19th century the city built ensembles of public buildings around the Oval Maidan in the Victorian Neo-Gothic style, and in the early 20th century added Art Deco buildings, with their cinemas and apartment blocks. UNESCO listed the two together in 2018.

UNESCO calls CSMT the symbol of Bombay as the “Gothic City”.

Across the harbour

The Elephanta Caves, on an island an hour’s ferry ride from the Gateway of India, hold a collection of rock art linked to the cult of Shiva (UNESCO).

Seeing it

Walk from CSMT past Flora Fountain to the Oval Maidan, where the Gothic buildings face the Art Deco ones across the grass, then continue to Marine Drive for sunset.

Our advice: go early in the morning, before the traffic and the heat.

Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Gothic and Art Deco: the back story before you go.