There are currently over 800 heritage buildings in the city of Kolkata that have been listed by the Kolkata Municipal Corporation.These are buildings and monuments of a historical nature, architectural and socio-cultural significance. A first list of 84 buildings of exceptional importance compiled by the Corporation is given.

Kolkata finds mention in the Ain-E-Akbari, an encyclopedic work compiled by Abul Fazl, Prime Minister of Emperor Akbar. It was a Khas Mahal or imperial Jagir. The Zamindari rights of Kolkata and the adjoining lands from Barisha to Halisahar were conferred upon the Savarna Roy Choudhuri family of Barisha by emperor Jahangir.

St Paul’s Cathedral : The Anglican Cathedral of Kolkata, built in 1847, adjacent to the Birla Planetarium. It towers 65m high.

Marble Palace : Located on Muktarambabu Street off Chittaranjan Avenue in North Kolkata. A place of tourist interest famous for its marble walls and floors, antique collections, rare birds, paintings, floor to ceiling mirrors and marble statues. Closed on Mondays and Thursdays.

Victoria Memorial : Built between 1906 and 1921 on the lines of the Taj Mahal, in memory of Queen Victoria. Topped with a moving angel, this memorial faces the Kolkata Maidan. It houses paintings, manuscripts and other objects of historic value in its Museum and Art Gallery. Two regular sound and light shows are held in the evening. Closed on Mondays.

National Library : Previously Vice-Regal House. One of the largest libraries with the rarest collections of vintage books/manuscripts in Asia. Located opposite to the Zoological Gardens, Alipore.

Saheed Minar : A monument similar to Qutab Minar of Delhi. This was known as Octerloney Monument, named after David Octerloney. It is 158 feet high with 198 steps (spiral staircase). Located near Esplanade, on the Maidan, it is a venue of many memorable political meetings.

Kolkata High Court : The highest seat of judiciary in West Bengal. One of the oldest in India (constructed in 1872), built in the Gothic style of architecture, it is a landmark of Kolkata. An extension was added later, which retains its architectural symmetry. It is located near Eden Gardens.

Built in 1875, it is an impressive building in the Italian style of architecture. This is the largest Museum in the country. The Museum has six sections: Art, Archaeology, Anthropology, Geology, Zoology and Industry (Economic Botany).

Open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (March to November) and 10 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. (December to February). Closed on Mondays. Entry fee, Rs.10. Free for children below 12 years. Foreigners Rs. 150.

Town Hall : This historical Hall had been the venue of public meetings and social gatherings. The construction of the Hall was completed in 1814 in doric style of architecture at a cost of Rs. 7lakhs by means of public lotteries.Like many other heritage buildings, the Town Hall has recently been restored to its original form. Closely, the Kolkata Museum too has been ‘done up’ with the addition of a library and an Archive.

Asiatic Society : On January 15, 1784, in a meeting at Fort William of thirty leading European citizens of Kolkata, presided over by the Chief Justice, Sir Robert Chambers of the Supreme Court, a proposal of founding a Society for antiquities, arts, science and literature of Asia was passed. Thus the Asiatic Society was born with Warren Hastings as Patron and William Jones, as President. The Institution, eventually grew into the leading centre of Indological studies in the world.The Society’s collections of manuscripts,about 30,000, is an epitome of India’s achievements in different spheres of learning.

Central Municipal Building : In 1872, the Justice of Peace decided to construct a suitable Municipal Office at a cost of Rs. 1 lakh exclusive of the price of the land.The present site was acquired for  Rs.65,000/-. The building was designed by Mr. Osmond of Mackintosh Burn & Co; the total cost of construction of 1.98 lakh was met partly from the legacy left by Marcus and partly by Govt. grant.

Netaji Bhawan: Located on 38/2, Elgin Rd., Kolkata. Originally it was the house of Subhash Chandra Bose (The Netaji). The display in the museum includes large collection of photographs, personal belonging and letter of Netaji’s.

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