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Photo: User:Sengkang, Copyrighted free use via Wikimedia Commons
This grand old building has seen many important events occur within and on its front steps. It was the place of the Japanese surrender in 1945 and was also where Lee Kuan Yew declared Singapore's self-governance, and subsequent independence from the British Empire to become part of Malaysia (from which it would later be expelled). Today, it forms part of the National Art Gallery together with the adjacent Old Supreme Court.
The Former City Hall building in Singapore is a national monument gazetted on 14 February 1992. It can be found in front of the historical Padang and adjacent to the Former Supreme Court of Singapore, it was designed and built by the architects of the Municipal Commission of Singapore, A. Gordans and F. D. Meadows from 1926 to 1929. A flight of stairs takes visitors from the Corinthian colonnade to the main building. The building was constructed to replace several houses designed by architect G.D. Coleman. It was first known as the Municipal Building until 1951, when the town of Singapore was granted city status by King George VI.
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Opened in 2015 in the former City Hall and Supreme Court buildings, it oversees the world’s largest public collection of Singapore and Southeast Asian art, consisting of over 8,000 artworks. National Gallery Singapore aims to provide an understanding and appreciation of art and culture through a variety of media, focusing on Singapore's culture and heritage and its relationship with other Southeast Asian cultures, Asia, and the world.
National Art Gallery
The Old Supreme Court Building was built in the classical style, featuring Corinthian columns and an allegory of justice set below the main dome. The current Supreme Court Building is right behind and its "spaceship" structure marks quite a contrast between the old and the new. While the building itself is worth a visit, it now also houses part of the National Art Gallery.
Singapore's Anglican cathedral and arguably the most impressive looking church in Singapore. Restoration of the historic nave was completed in 2024. In addition to English services, the cathedral also conducts services in Mandarin and Burmese.
Built by the colonial government to commemorate the British soldiers born or resident in the Straits Settlements (comprising what is today Singapore, Malacca and Penang) who died in World War I. A second dedication was later added on the other side to commemorate the soldiers who died in World War II, but without any names listed.
Built by the British in the 19th century, this was Singapore's premier arts centre until the Esplanade came and stole the limelight. It still hosts various smaller events that can't fit in (or afford) the Esplanade. History buffs may also want to do a detour: the Raffles statue in front dates to 1887, and the People's Action Party was founded here in 1954, as commemorated with a plaque showing a very young-looking Lee Kuan Yew.
A pagoda commemorating Lim Bo Seng, a World War II hero. Lim was part of Force 136, a British intelligence operation that was established to aid indigenous resistance movements in Japanese-occupied territory. After being arrested by the Japanese Kempeitai (secret police), Lim refused to divulge any information about his comrades despite being tortured by the Japanese, and died in prison in 1944 at the age of 35.