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A Journey Through Kolkata's Colonial & Contemporary Architecture 

From grand colonial-era edifices to contemporary cultural spaces, Kolkata’s architecture tells a story of layers — British, Bengali, and modern Indian. Here, ornate façades meet bustling streets, and hidden courtyards open into quiet havens, making the city itself a living museum where history and everyday life converge.

Category

Tour

Words by

Nidhi Gopal

Published

September 27, 2025

After a serene journey along the Hooghly River aboard our river cruise, I had the delightful chance to stay in Kolkata for four nights as a post-tour extension. It felt like being handed a key to a city that pulses with history, culture, and charm. Each day brought a new awakening as the scent of street-side chai mingled with river mist in the mornings, the hum of tram bells and rickshaw wheels in the afternoons, and the soft glow of lamp-lit streets at night.
The Magen David Synagogue’s interiors captivate with soaring arches, ornate columns, stained glass windows, and glowing chandeliers that fill the space with timeless grandeur.
While French writer Dominique Lapierre, in his book City of Joy, captured Kolkata through the lens of its people, their struggles, resilience, and unbreakable spirit that earned the city its affectionate moniker, I found myself drawn to another facet of the metropolis.
In contrast to Lapierre’s human stories, I dedicated a day to exploring Kolkata’s colonial and contemporary architecture, tracing how its façades, boulevards, and timeless edifices continue to shape the soul of New Kolkata, a city that still wears its past with quiet pride.

One full day, I dedicated entirely to exploring Kolkata's colonial architecture and to get into the journey that would stay with me long after I left its bustling lanes.

My first stop was the iconic Writers’ Building. Its 150-metre-long façade stretches across the street like a silent storyteller. Designed by Thomas Lyon for the British East India Company clerks, this building has seen centuries of administration, politics, and upheaval. Standing there, I imagined the writers scurrying through the corridors, quills in hand, unaware that, centuries later, travellers like me would trace their legacy with reverent eyes. The surrounding street buzzed with traffic and chatter, yet the building itself held a quiet, steadfast dignity. “Even in stillness, a building speaks volumes,” I murmured, feeling history hum beneath my feet.
No day exploring Kolkata’s architectural legacy would be complete without standing before the Victoria Memorial. As I walked through its colonnades, time seemed to pause. The white Makrana marble shimmered softly under the afternoon sun, a reminder of an era that once sought permanence through grandeur. Inside, galleries whispered stories of empire and evolution through portraits, letters, and relics of a city constantly reinventing itself. Yet beyond the colonial weight of its name, what struck me most was how seamlessly the Memorial now belongs to Kolkata itself. Sitting by the lotus pond as the sun dipped low, you feel an odd tenderness, as if the past had finally made peace with the present.
Built in honour of Queen Victoria, the white marble Victoria Memorial holds over 25,000 artefacts, offering a glimpse into India’s colonial past and artistic legacy.
Once the iconic Great Eastern Hotel, now The Lalit Kolkata, it exudes colonial grandeur in the heart of the city.
Not very far from there is the Great Eastern Hotel – Kolkata, built in 1840 AD. The Great Eastern Hotel felt like stepping into a cinematic frame from the past. Originally a bakery, later transformed by David Wilson into the “Jewel of the East,” it has hosted legends like Mark Twain and Queen Elizabeth II. Walking through the grand lobby, the scent of polished wood and fresh roses mingled with the soft echo of footsteps, almost as if the past were brushing past me. The corridors whispered tales of colonial-era grandeur, tea-time conversations, and elegant evenings.

I paused near the dining hall, thinking, "Some walls remember more than we ever can," and felt the weight and warmth of countless memories held within these walls.

My local guide persuaded me to drive past Howrah Railway Station – Kolkata, built in 1854 AD. Wandering into Howrah Railway Station, I immediately realised the sheer magnitude took my breath away. India’s first railway station, designed by Halsey Ricardo, is a living testament to movement, history, and ambition, with 24 sprawling platforms and a daily tide of travellers. The calls of porters, the rhythmic clatter of luggage wheels, and the hiss of trains created a symphony of life.
Constructed by the British in 1943 to boost Kolkata’s trade, Howrah Bridge is a marvel held together entirely by riveting and no nuts or bolts.
Standing tall in Kolkata, St. Paul’s Cathedral, built in 1847, showcases elegant Indo-Gothic architecture with its towering spire and serene white façade.

I thought of the inaugural train on 15th August 1854, and how the city's heartbeat has carried through the generations. Standing there, I whispered to myself, "A city moves, but its history stands still."

The stop at The Marble Palace, which is a fusion of East and West, transported me into a world where art, opulence, and heritage coexisted. Built by Raja Rajendra Mullick, it beautifully fuses European Neoclassical elegance with Bengali artistry. The grand staircase of marble and mahogany drew me upward like an invitation to explore time itself. Sculptures, paintings, and decorative treasures surrounded me, while a faint scent of sandalwood lingered in the cool air. I paused by a sunlit mirror, watching shadows play across ornate carvings, and thought, “Opulence is not in gold, but in stories that endure.” Every corner seemed to hum with the pride and taste of its creator.
The Gothic spires of St. Paul’s Cathedral rose before me like a prayer in stone. Inside, the vaulted ceilings, intricately carved columns, and stained-glass windows created a kaleidoscope of colour and light. The hush of the interior, interrupted only by the gentle echo of footsteps, brought a meditative calm. The cathedral felt timeless, a bridge between the past and my present journey, as though the centuries had paused to welcome me.
Finally, my last stop at Metcalfe Hall felt like a distilled essence of Kolkata itself with elegance, history, and artistry intertwined. Designed by Bengali architect Jiban Krishna Neogi in 1844, it blends European classical motifs with Indian craftsmanship. Walking beneath the Corinthian columns and admiring frescoed ceilings, I could feel the grand gatherings and intellectual exchanges that once filled this space. The scent of polished wood and waxed floors mingled with distant city sounds, creating a sensory bridge between past and present.
As night fell, I returned to my hotel, and from my window, Kolkata shimmered along the Hooghly. The city had revealed itself not just as architecture and history, but as a living, breathing organism, layered and endlessly fascinating. Colonial grandeur, Bengali artistry, and modern energy converged here, creating a city that preserves history and inhabits it.

I realised that Kolkata stands as the perfect stopover for all travellers beginning or concluding their river cruise journeys. It is a city that frames your voyage with depth and memory that stays long after you've left its banks.

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Nidhi Gopal, Co-Founder & Managing Partner at Marée & Meridian, has always been captivated by the stories luxury trains and river cruises tell. Being part of the Maharajas’ Express first voyage marked an iconic moment, inspiring her lifelong passion to explore and innovate in this space. She curates meaningful journeys on trains and river cruises, delighting in grand interiors, flowing champagne, and magnificent destinations, creating experiences that celebrate elegance, discovery, and timeless luxury.