David Sassoon Library and Reading Room
David Sassoon Library and Reading Room
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Neighbourhood: Churchgate
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
4.0
24 reviews
Excellent
8
Very good
13
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3
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Vikas Singh
Ghaziabad, India4,061 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.
macedonboy
Glasgow, UK1,79,496 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.
Aryan2007
Mumbai, India19,228 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.
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.
MANCHIMASTER
Mumbai, India833 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, India82 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.
Hooray H
London, UK2,257 contributions
Mar 2018 • Solo
Another wonderful Colonial building in the centre of Bombay. It has to be cherished & respected & above all maintained.
How many major cities in the world have such buildings- only steel & glass.
You can visit the reading room.
How many major cities in the world have such buildings- only steel & glass.
You can visit the reading room.
Written 5 March 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.
Sherrill S
San Anselmo, CA12 contributions
Feb 2017 • Couples
We were lucky enough to wander in during the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival, on a day when the back garden was open for a used book sale and author readings. It was a wonderful relaxed place to find some interesting books and hear some poetry.
Written 4 November 2017
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.
Partha Kundu
Kolkata (Calcutta), India767 contributions
Oct 2017 • Family
A 150 year old heritage with a wide selection of books crossing over 25000. Was quite amazed by the upkeep of the place.
Written 6 October 2017
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.
thatzamit
Bengaluru, India504 contributions
Jan 2017 • Friends
A historic place to visit in Mumbai. Very vast collection of some good books. One can spend ample time in reading books here.
Written 12 April 2017
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
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Frequently Asked Questions about David Sassoon Library and Reading Room
- According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience David Sassoon Library and Reading Room:
- Mumbai Private Full-Day Sightseeing Tour (From ₹ 8,012.00)
- Private Jewish Heritage Tour (From ₹ 4,999.17)
- Private Mumbai Sightseeing Tour (From ₹ 7,498.75)
- Shalom Bombay - Mumbai Jewish Heritage Tour (Private Primium Tours) (From ₹ 28,328.61)
- Bombay to Mumbai: a Heritage and Food walk (From ₹ 2,561.24)
- Hotels near David Sassoon Library and Reading Room:
- (0.16 km) Hotel Lawrence
- (0.46 km) Abode Bombay
- (0.25 km) YWCA International Guest House
- (0.22 km) Quality Inn The Meadows
- (0.45 km) Hotel Suba Palace
- Restaurants near David Sassoon Library and Reading Room:
- (0.05 km) Dosa Bite Snack
- (0.05 km) Pergula
- (0.05 km) Marine Restaurant
- (0.09 km) Khyber
- (0.09 km) Hitchki