The train station in India that looks like an emperor’s palace and leaves travelers staring at the ceiling
Train stations are usually points of entry and exit, but in Mumbai (Bombay) its main terminal does not go unnoticed by chance. The Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, formerly known as Victoria Terminus, is a monument that looks like it was taken from a historical movie. And we are not just talking about a flashy facade: the interiors are full of details reminiscent of an emperor’s palace, with domes, friezes, and very high ceilings that make you feel more like you are in a museum than in a train station.
Its construction began in 1873 and it was inaugurated in 1887 to commemorate Queen Victoria’s golden jubilee. Frederick William Stevens, the English architect who designed it, achieved a symbiosis between Victorian Gothic style and elements of traditional Indian architecture. The result? an imposing station full of history.
How to get to Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus and what to visit nearby
Access from Tarragona and the Camp de Tarragona
If the travel bug bites you and you want to see this marvel in Mumbai, the most common way is to arrive via an international flight at Mumbai airport (Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport). From the airports of Barcelona or Madrid, there are connections with a stopover in cities like Dubai or Doha, followed by domestic flights or local trains to the terminal.
Once in Mumbai, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus is accessible by metro, taxi, or even on foot if you want to get lost in the surrounding streets and breathe the city’s hectic life. It is the most important railway station in India and a key point for moving around the country.
Visits and activities around
Mumbai is full of contrasts, and near the station you can explore the colonial area with lively markets and streets where time seems to go faster. Don’t miss the Government Museum or Gandhi Maidan if you want a cultural touch. A short distance away is the Gateway of India, another historic symbol of Mumbai worth seeing.
For those who want to breathe fresh air, Shivaji Park is also nearby, ideal for short escapes amid so much urban activity.
Architecture and history: the palace that is a station
Details that leave you speechless
The high ceilings and domes are just the tip of the iceberg. The detailed friezes and hand-carved figures show the perfection of a style that blends European grandeur with Indian sensibility. The central dome, visible from many points, is a symbol of the art and engineering of that era.
It is clear that the intention was not only to build a functional station, but to create a majestic space worthy of the British Empire, which in India wanted to display its power and influence.
A name change that tells a story of freedom
With India’s independence in 1947, the time came to leave colonial symbols behind. And so, in 1996, Victoria Terminus was renamed Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, in honor of a 17th-century Indian national hero. This station is not only a work of art but a living testimony to the country’s history and identity.
In 2004, UNESCO recognized its significance and declared it a World Heritage Site, a distinction that justifies every detail and every stone of this railway palace.
Gastronomy and accommodation to complete the visit
Where to eat near the station
In the Mumbai neighborhood where Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus is located, you can enjoy everything from street food to restaurants with authentic Indian cuisine. Try the vada pav, a typical sandwich, or biryani, an aromatic rice dish that enchants. There are also options for less adventurous palates, with menus that combine Western and local touches.
Accommodation for all tastes
From small hostels to upscale hotels, Mumbai offers options for every budget. If you want to feel like an emperor, you can book historic hotels that preserve the colonial essence, while in the downtown area you will find more modern and practical accommodations.
Visiting Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus is not just seeing a station; it is living an experience that mixes history, architecture, and intense local life.
The reality is that few stations in the world can boast of resembling a palace and having so much life around.
