During British colonialism, Mumbai (then Bombay) was a walled, fortified city with three gates: Bazaar Gate, Church Gate, and Apollo Gate. In time, the city grew beyond its walls. To accommodate this expansion, the walls were demolished sometime in the mid to late 19th century.
At the spot where the Church Gate once stood, a heritage fountain was constructed. Dedicated to Flora, the Roman goddess of flowers and spring, the fountain was constructed by the Esplanade Fee Fund Committee at a total cost of 47,000 rupees, with a donation of 20,500 rupees from Seth Cursetjee Furdoonji Parekh.
The fountain was opened to the public on November 18, 1869.
The three-tier fountain was designed by Richard Norman Shaw and was sculpted by James Forsythe. A statue of Flora adorns the top of the fountain. The four corners of the fountain depict four mythological figures carrying foliage to represent the four seasons. The entire structure is made from Portland stone.
Today the Flora Fountain is located at Hutatma Chowk, a major Mumbai intersection. Surrounded by many heritage buildings from British colonialism, the area is still called Fort. Today the bustling neighborhood is a business center and heritage precinct.
