Feel like you’ve explored everything Pune has to offer? Now, let’s keep that curiosity alive!
Beyond its buzzing cafes, youthful energy, and historical tales lies a city quietly hiding architectural treasures, each with stories etched in stone, wood, and cosmic alignments. From underground water systems and forgotten rock-cut temples to buildings shaped by astronomy and colonial fusion, Pune’s architectural landscape is a journey in itself.
Here are 8 fascinating sites in Pune that every architecture lover (and curious wanderer) should have on their bucket list.
Shaniwar Wada(The Hidden Water Engineering Wonder)
While tourists often marvel at the grandeur of Shaniwar Wada, few know that it once boasted a sophisticated water management system. An underground channel brought water 15 kilometers from Katraj Lake, supplying hidden reservoirs and cooling chambers that maintained a pleasant indoor climate. Though a fire in 1828 devastated the original structure, remnants of this advanced engineering still whisper stories of a bygone era.
📍 Location: Shaniwar Peth
Ohel David Synagogue (Pune’s Gothic Red Giant)
Also known as Lal Deval, the Ohel David Synagogue is an unexpected architectural icon. Built in 1867 by philanthropist David Sassoon, it’s one of the largest synagogues in India. With its red brick façade, pointed arches, and a 90-ft clock tower, it mirrors English Gothic design. The ark (heckal) within the synagogue faces Jerusalem’s Wailing Wall—a spiritually resonant alignment.
📍 Location: Moledina Road
Shinde Chhatri (An Artistic Fusion of Cultures)
Tucked inside a walled compound, Shinde Chhatri is a glorious blend of Maratha and Anglo aesthetics. A massive dindi darwaza (traditional iron gate) greets you, and inside, vibrant stained-glass windows cast colorful shadows. The chhatri houses memorials with ornate pillars, delicate paintings, and architectural ornamentation that reflects the cultural syncretism of 19th-century Pune.
📍 Location: Wanowrie
Vishrambaug Wada (A Maratha-European Marvel)
Spanning 20,000 sq. ft., Vishrambaug Wada showcases classic Maratha design with a European twist. Intricate woodwork, cypress-shaped columns, teak balconies, and a terracotta-tiled façade make it an architectural dream. Once the residence of Peshwa Baji Rao II, this wada beautifully merges function with finesse.
📍 Location: Budhwar Peth
Pataleshwar Cave Temple (Pune’s Underground Enigma)
Carved from a monolithic basalt rock in the 8th century, the Pataleshwar Temple is a lesser-known treasure. Its standout features? A rare circular Nandi mandapa and floating stone canopy. The temple’s tapering pillars and unfinished sanctum raise more questions than they answer—leaving behind a mystique perfect for architectural sleuths.
📍 Location: Jangali Maharaj Road
Aga Khan Palace (Grandeur with Purpose)
Built in 1892, the Aga Khan Palace is not only a site of historical significance (think Gandhi’s imprisonment) but also a masterpiece of Indo-Saracenic architecture. The palace’s Indo-Islamic arches, Italian-inspired verandas, and jharokha balconies blend seamlessly. Designed with flood-resilient elevation and natural ventilation across its 45 halls, this palace was truly ahead of its time.
📍 Location: Nagar Road
IUCAA (Where Cosmic Design Meets Architecture)
Designed by the legendary Charles Correa, the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA) is architecture that looks to the stars—literally. The courtyard’s diagonal axis mimics the path of asteroids, and its radial layout symbolizes the universe’s expansion. It’s where physics meets poetry, and space becomes structure.
📍 Location: Pune University Campus
CDSA (Pune’s Climate-Conscious Structure)
The Centre for Developmental Studies and Activities (CDSA) might not be on every tourist’s radar, but it’s a marvel of climate-responsive architecture. With roofs sloping strategically to accommodate monsoon winds and a material palette that balances aesthetics and sustainability, this building reflects Pune’s commitment to future-forward design.
📍 Location: Near Kothrud
Conclusion
Pune isn’t just a city of heritage—it’s a city of layers. Every street, every corner holds a secret waiting to be discovered. Whether you’re an architecture student, a design enthusiast, or a traveller looking for offbeat gems, Pune offers a beautifully preserved, thoughtfully designed, and richly historic trail of wonders.
So the next time you find yourself in Pune, look closer. You might just spot history whispering through walls.