Byculla’s streets usually see groups seeking a history fix on Sundays, and with reason. This neighbourhood has its own charm, which you will find hidden behind its bustling traffic. This trail is short enough to fit into a lazy Sunday and packed enough to give you a satisfying culture fix.

Grand entrance

Start your walk at the obvious, Rani Baug. Before you even step into the zoo and botanical garden, pause at the main entrance of Rani Baug (also known as Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Udyan). The gate is a nod to Italianate and Renaissance architectural styles, complete with stone columns, arched windows, and an old-world charm that predates most of the city’s buildings. Built in the 1860s, the structure is a reminder of when civic architecture meant grandeur. Even if you’re not to the zoo, it’s worth lingering here to admire the craftsmanship. Don’t miss the clock tower, with its hands stuck at 3.30. Erected in 1864, it’s covered in tiles with geometrical prints. The tower was restored in 2019 and showcases Italian-style architecture, quite different from the rest of Mumbai, which wears a Gothic style.

Museum of crafts

Pic/Atul Kamble