David Sassoon Library and Reading Room
David Sassoon Library and Reading Room
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Neighbourhood: South Mumbai
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4.0
24 reviews
Excellent
8
Very good
13
Average
3
Poor
0
Terrible
0
macedonboy
Glasgow, UK186,579 contributions
Nov 2019
The David Sassoon Library and Reading Room is the oldest library still in use in Mumbai. The library is a very handsome looking Neo-Gothic building. Inside, it looks like an old school reading room with a lot of old world charm, especially with the way the reading desks and books are arranged.
A nice place to visit for a bit of history and old world charm. The condition of the interior is a little sad though. There’s a lot of peeling paint all over the walls and water damage in parts of the ceiling. See it before it all falls apart!
A nice place to visit for a bit of history and old world charm. The condition of the interior is a little sad though. There’s a lot of peeling paint all over the walls and water damage in parts of the ceiling. See it before it all falls apart!
Written 30 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jojo
Navi Mumbai, India2,838 contributions
Sept 2016 • Family
The Iconic structure 150 years old Grade 1 Heritage Library having over 27,000 books and a large number of rare books of century old is managed by Jews community. It needs some urgent repair to keep the treasure for posterity.
Written 21 September 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rjaffelieb
Jerusalem, Israel194 contributions
Jan 2019 • Friends
I would've liked to enjoy some of the old books this library has to offer but no one asked to help us. The building is impressive and I'd like to have been shown more of who David Sassoon was. The history is impressive and shouldn't be overlooked. Beautiful gardens too.
Written 6 February 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nergish2014
Pune, India152 contributions
Oct 2015 • Solo
One of Mumbai's great Jewish patriarchs was David Sassoon ( of Sassoon Dock Fame) and this reading room is one more of his priceless contributions to BOMBAY .
Written 21 November 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hooray H
London, UK2,165 contributions
Sept 2015 • Couples
It's like taking a step back in time.
Ask to visit the reading room on the 3rd floor- amazing. still being used like it was 150 years ago.
Worth the visit
Ask to visit the reading room on the 3rd floor- amazing. still being used like it was 150 years ago.
Worth the visit
Written 12 November 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GuelphTraveller
Canada1,381 contributions
Sept 2015 • Solo
The library is situated in the historic downtown of Mumbai. Albert Sassoon, son of the famous Baghdadi Jewish philanthropist, David Sassoon donated the funds for this building. It was designed by architects J. Campbell and G. E. Gosling at a cost of Rs. 125,000. with David Sassoon donating half.
The building was completed in 1870 and above the entrance portico is a white stone bust of David Sassoon. The building is a fine example of the Venetian Gothic Revival as style in high favour and with many examples in downtown Mumbai. Victoria Terminas is in a similar style.
The building was completed in 1870 and above the entrance portico is a white stone bust of David Sassoon. The building is a fine example of the Venetian Gothic Revival as style in high favour and with many examples in downtown Mumbai. Victoria Terminas is in a similar style.
Written 11 October 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vikas Singh
Ghaziabad, India4,140 contributions
Dec 2019
A Venetian Gothic library it was designed by Scott and McClelland with Minton tile flooring supplied from Britain. The building has arcaded galleries, a miniature clock tower and patron Sir David Sassoon’s bust on its façade. The library opened in 1870. There is also a marble statue of Sir Sassoon inside. Only members are allowed entry but you are free to take pictures from outside.
Written 28 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Aryan2007
Mumbai, India19,164 contributions
Jun 2019
The David Sassoon Library is a famous library and heritage structure in South Mumbai near Kala Ghoda. The idea for a library to be situated in the center of the city was the brainchild of Albert Sassoon, son of the famous Jewish philanthropist, David Sassoon. The building was designed by architects J. Campbell and G. E. Gosling, for the Scott McClelland and Company, at a cost of rupees 1.25 lacs about 150 years ago !!! David Sassoon donated Rs.60,000, while the rest was borne by the Government of Bombay Presidency. The building, completed in 1870, is built using yellow Malad stone, similar to some of the other heritage buildings in South Mumbai like the Elphinstone College and Army and Navy Buildings.
Its a heritage building worth a visit !!!
Its a heritage building worth a visit !!!
Written 5 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MANCHIMASTER
Mumbai, India821 contributions
Jan 2019
David Sassoon Library and reading room is a heritage building more than a century old known for its architecture and palacial reading rooms. Free wifi service. It was constructed by Albert Sassoon son of famous philanthropist Sir David Sassoon. Visit this Colonial age structure and admire its beauty
Written 16 January 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
untamedrohit
Mumbai, India72 contributions
Jul 2018 • Solo
Just walking distance from gate way / hotel Taj / Colaba causeway. U can't visit it from inside as it's a reading room and library and membership is required for entry . Westside mall is just nearby.
Written 12 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi,I am rupesh and I would like to join this library. is there books for iit jee exam
Written 3 August 2019
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