Widely regarded as the cultural capital of India, Kolkata emerged from three small fishing villages to become the centre of modern Indian society and the seat of British East Indian trade in the early 20th century. Following Indian Independence in 1947, the City fell into economic and social decline until its resurgence four decades later in the 1990's. Much of its greatest architecture can still be found from that time however, with several striking contributions of Gothic and Art Deco buildings found throughout the city. Check out the must-see architecture in India here, and Kolkata's #mustseearchitecture below.  

Victoria Memorial Hall

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Architect: William Emerson Built: 1906-1921 Type: Museum Library Style: Indo-Saracenic Revival Address: Victoria Memorial Hall, 1, Queens Way, Kolkata, West Bengal 700071, India Open to the Public: Yes Hours: 10:00am - 6:00pm daily Cost: 500 ₹ ($8 US) Website: www.victoriamemorial-cal.org  

St. Paul’s Cathedral

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Architect: William Nairn Forbes Built: 1847 Type: Museum Library Style: Gothic Revival Address: Kolkata, West Bengal 700071, India Open to the Public: Yes  

Marble Palace

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Builder: Raja Rajendra Mullick Built: 1835 Type: Mansion Style: Neoclassical Address: 46, Muktaram Babu Street, Kolkata 700007 Open to the Public: Yes Hours: 10:00am - 4:00pm daily Cost: Free  

Kolkata High Court

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Architect: Walter Granville Built: 1862 Type: Civic Style: Neo-Gothic Address: 3, Esplanade Row West, BBD Bagh, Kolkata, West Bengal 700001, India Open to the Public: Yes Hours: 10:00am - 5:00pm Monday - Friday Website: www.calcuttahighcourt.gov.in/  

Kolkata Town Hall

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Architect: Maj.-Gen. John Garstin Built: 1813 Type: Civic Style: Roman Doric Address: 4, Esplanade Row (West), Kolkata - 700001 Open to the Public: Yes  

Belvedere Estate

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Built: 18th century Type: National Library Address: Woodland Rd, Alipore, Kolkata, West Bengal 700027, India Open to the Public: Yes Website: www.nationallibrary.gov.in/  

Rabindra Bharati Museum

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Built: 18th century Type: University Address: Ganesh Talkies, 267, Rabindra Sarani, Singhi Bagan, Jorasanko, Kolkata, West Bengal 700007, India Open to the Public: Yes Hours: 10:30am - 5:00pm daily. Closed Mondays Website: http://111.118.215.254/~avuet4m5/rbu/ [mappress mapid="135"]