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The 10 Best Specialty Museums in Kolkata (Calcutta), West Bengal
This former British colonial stronghold boasts evidence of over two millennia of habitation, with ornate, architecturally diverse buildings, ranging from crumbing ruins to Victorian treasures. Home to lively festivals and a vibrant artistic community, clamorous markets and packed temples, this city is crowded and polluted, but ultimately invigorating.
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1. Victoria Memorial Hall
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,599 reviews
Reviewed By neelamlegal - Kolkata (Calcutta), India
A beautiful building built in the British era surrounded by endless green well maintained gardens interspersed with small water bodies will lift the hearts of everyone. The children can enjoy the endless gardens while the grown ups can add to the experience by visiting the museum. If u are visiting from another city make sure to keep a full day aside for a complete experience.
2. Tagore House
3. Birla Industrial & Technological Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 203 reviews
Reviewed By atulya_sinha - Kolkata (Calcutta), India
Birla Industrial and Technological Museum, established in 1959, is the oldest science and technology museum of the city. The building was originally the residence of Raja Baldeo Birla (1863-1956) and it was donated to the Government by his heirs for setting up museum. Now a new wing has been constructed perpendicular to the original three-storied building and some exhibits are displayed outdoors as well. There is a well-maintained garden, where statues of great scientists have been installed. In addition to basic physics, chemistry, mathematics, biology, astronomy, electricity, electronics etc., there are galleries devoted to technologies such as television, motive power, transport, metals, etc. A special feature is a mock-up of a coal mine. There is a dedicated gallery for children as well. There are several small auditoriums, where documentary films are regularly screened. As a mechanical engineer, I was particularly interested in the motive power and transport galleries, both of which have rich collections. The latter includes a narrow gauge steam locomotive and a vintage car which belonged to Acharya Jagdish Chandra Bose, the eminent scientist. The exhibits are generally well-maintained and efforts are made to improve them from time to time. For example, the interactive exhibits which were operated by touching a button are now modified to be activated without any physical contact. The museum is visitor-friendly and their website is quite informative. Parking facility is available inside the compound, but there is a separate charge for it. Washrooms are well-maintained
4. Netaji Bhawan
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 106 reviews
Reviewed By abhisheksengupta2006 - Kolkata (Calcutta), India
Netaji Bhawab in the ancestral house of Netaji Subash Chandra Bose. This is a nostalgic place for all Indians. This the place from where Bose planned his "The Great Escape. This can be easily reached. Nearest metro station is Rabindra Sadan. Nearest Bus stand is Elgin Road. App cabs - Ola and Uber - is available readily. It has collection of best writings by Netaji. Good to see the siting room and bed room of Netaji. Bed room is the place from where he planned his Great Escape. Best to see is The Wanderer - BLA 7169 - The car in which Netaji Escaped from Kolkata to Gomoh as first phase of escape. One more thing worth mentioning is INA Cap of Netaji This is well maintained and must see for all.
5. Kolkata Tram Museum Smaranika
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 17 reviews
Reviewed By Avishek_Banerjee - Kolkata (Calcutta), India
Kolkata has a long association with tramways. It is the oldest operating electric tramways in Asia. It is evodent that such a city will preserve its heritage in a museum. Smaranika is a humble approac to do so. Inaugurated in 2014, Smaranika, the tram museum in Kolkata is the brainchild of CTC to preserve the fading history and heritage of tram in Kolkata. The small museum and café is located deep inside Esplanade CTC Depot, very close to the shopping district but away from the chaos of moving traffic. Interestingly the museum has no separate building, but has been thoughtfully housed in an actual retired rolling stock. The particular tram was built in 1938 and belonged to the Bombay Fleet of trams. It has been refurbished at the Nonapukur Workshop in Kolkata, retaining the wooden vintage look of the car. Of the two bogies of the car, the first one is a small café while the second bogie houses the museum and the exhibits.
6. Marble Palace Kolkata
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 435 reviews
Reviewed By doibedouin - Howrah, India
The entrance to the palace has two large deer-head mounts. Entering into the palace will literally connote the name of the place. The palace is flooded with marble effigies and indeed a paradise for the art lovers. The reception hall has billiards boards and a notable Japanese bronze vase of about 4 ft. Walking on, the guide took us to a dark room which when lighted displayed the 6 ft high Mahogany statue of Queen Victoria. Other statues included the Greek Goddesses; the ceiling of the room too was decorated with wooden motifs. The “hakur dalan” has a marble fountain like structure in the centre, with the marble floor designed in floral patterns. The central worshipping pedestal too is of Marble with the figurines of Rama and Sita made on the walls behind it. The arched roof above the pedestal section too has cupids and floral designs plasterd on the edges. The corridors had caged macaws of different types and cockatoos. The first floor was availed through the wooden stairs with the wall paintings overlooking the visitors. The first floor itself is another grandeur with frequent black marbled statues of birds (ravens mostly). Worth mentioning is the dancing hall with the ceiling long wall mirror of Belgian glass on both sides of the room, that my friend is going to etch it’s place on your memory. Throughout the hall was other statuettes personifying the Greek deities four seasons- Spring Autumn, Summer and Winter, the statue of Commerce and Agriculture. The other hall had the oil paintings of the linage of the Mullick family. Other paintings are – the “Marine View” by Dutch painter Jan Van Goyen, “Madonna with Child” by Italian painter Giovanni Battista Salvi da Sassoferrato, “The Mystic Marriage of St. Catherine” by Rubens and “The Martyrdom of St. Sebastian” by Piero del Pollaiolo, as also some paintings by famous Indian artist Raja Ravi Varna and The Last Supper. The first ever piano, the grandfather’s clock and the ivory tusk are the notable mentions. Other statues worth mentioning are the greek Goddesses of Venus holding cupid, Apollo, Moses etc. Best time to visit: Anytime; Timing: 10 am to 4 pm. Closed on Mondays and Thursdays; Cost: Free entry, however you may tip the guide on your wish. You might need a prior permission from the tourism board. Nevertheless, if you don't have any, a government identity card would do.
7. Sabarna Sangrahashala
8. Mother's Wax Museum
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 263 reviews
Reviewed By 564rehanaa - Kolkata (Calcutta), India
It is in 6th and 5th Floor of Finance Centre and just opposite to Eco Park Rajarhat. You can find the statues of historian famous personalities, cricketers cartoon characters, you can see statues of Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Teresa, A P J Abdul Kalam, Amitabh Bachchan, Pranab Mukherjee, Motu Patlu, Doreamon, Harry Potter and many international characters are also there. I enjoyed the place very much and recommend this to travellers.
9. Raja Rammohun Roy Memorial Museum
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 8 reviews
Reviewed By sharmasheetal003 - Mumbai, India
look through history here for time seems captured. the stairway takes your to first floor which is filled with sculptures , photographs and visualizations of the gone by age . The room recreated gives a glimpse of how Raja Rammohun lived.must visit
10. Chintamoni Kar Sangrahalay
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 5 reviews
