Singapore’s National Monuments are the kind of places many of us walk past without realising how much history they carry. One moment you are rushing to lunch in the CBD, the next you are standing beside a building that survived World War II, witnessed the birth of modern Singapore, or housed generations of migrants finding their footing here.
As of 2026, Singapore has more than 75 National Monuments officially gazetted by the National Heritage Board. Here are some of the most fascinating National Monuments of Singapore and the fun facts behind them. Warning first, you may never look at these places the same way again.
Table of Contents
These monuments are given the highest level of heritage protection in the country because of their historical, cultural, or architectural significance. They include churches, temples, mosques, schools, bridges, hotels, civic buildings, and even open spaces like the Padang.
The first batch of National Monuments was gazetted in 1973, after concerns grew that rapid redevelopment could erase important pieces of Singapore’s past. Today, the Preservation of Sites and Monuments division under the National Heritage Board oversees their protection and restoration.
Image credit: Singapore Cricket Club
The Padang is more than just a giant field in the Civic District. It has hosted National Day Parades, cricket matches, military marches, F1 concerts, and major historical events dating back to the colonial era. It also became Singapore’s first green open space to be gazetted as a National Monument in 2022.
Image credit: @4402_39 via Instagram
This iconic white St Andrew’s Cathedral near City Hall has survived lightning strikes, wartime occupation, and decades of urban change. During World War II, the building even served as an emergency hospital.
Image credit: @ivanvictory via Instagram
Located in Chinatown, Sri Mariamman Temple is Singapore’s oldest Hindu temple. Many early Indian immigrants reportedly came here for shelter and community support after arriving in Singapore.
Image credit: Visit Singapore
Before modern ports existed, newly arrived Chinese immigrants used to visit Thian Hock Keng temple to give thanks for surviving the sea journey to Singapore. Fun fact: the temple was built without using nails in many sections of its structure.
Image credit: @armenian.church.sg via Instagram
Built in 1835, the Armenian Church is the oldest surviving Christian church in Singapore. Its quiet garden feels worlds away from the busy city outside, despite sitting right in the middle of town.
Image credit: User: Sengkang via Wikimedia
This grand building now forms part of National Gallery Singapore. The Former City Hall was where the Japanese formally surrendered to the British in Singapore after World War II in 1945.
Image credit: National Gallery Singapore
The former Supreme Court building is instantly recognisable thanks to its large green dome. If you look closely, you can still spot old holding cells and courtroom features preserved inside National Gallery Singapore today.
Image credit: @wanfanp via Instagram
This performing arts venue has been part of Singapore life for more than a century. During World War II, the Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall was also used as a hospital by the Japanese military.
Image credit: @raffleshotelsingapore via Instagram
Yes, the famous hotel is also a National Monument. The Singapore Sling cocktail was said to have been created at Raffles Hotel Singapore, though locals still debate whether it is worth the price or not.
Image credit: Allie_Caulfield via Flickr
Most people know this place as Lau Pa Sat. Back in the day, the sea was actually much closer to the former Telok Ayer Market before land reclamation changed Singapore’s coastline.
Image credit: @sarah.uph via Instagram
This red and white building along Hill Street is Singapore’s oldest surviving fire station. In fact, the Central Fire Station still functions as an active fire station today, which honestly makes it extra shiok for history lovers. It also houses the Civil Defense Heritage Gallery.
Image credit: Ministry of Digital Development and Information
Known for its rainbow coloured windows, the Old Hill Street Police Station building once housed police officers and their families. It now contains government offices from MDDI and has become one of the most photographed spots in the Civic District.
Image credit: @fullertonhotelsg via Instagram
Before becoming a luxury hotel, The Fullerton Building served as Singapore’s General Post Office. It was also nicknamed Mile Zero because distances in Singapore used to be measured from this point.
Image adapted from: @acm_sg via Instagram
The building housing the Asian Civilisations Museum used to be government offices during the colonial period. It sits right beside the Singapore River, which was once packed with bumboats and warehouses.
Image credit: Sentosa
Fort Siloso is Singapore’s only preserved coastal fort. It reminds visitors of Singapore’s wartime history and still contains old tunnels, guns, and military structures.
Image credit: Helmar2 via Wikimedia
Istana Kampong Gelam, a former Malay royal palace, is one of the key landmarks of Kampong Gelam. The iconic yellow building, AKA ‘geduning kuning’, was once home to Malay royalty connected to the Johor Sultanate, and has now been restored as the Malay Heritage Centre.
Image credit: The Istana
Most Singaporeans know The Istana as the President’s official residence, but the building originally served as Government House during British rule. Its grounds are only opened to the public on selected public holidays during the Istana Open House.
Image credit: Goodwood Park Hotel
The tower block of Goodwood Park Hotel used to be a German club before World War I. Its castle-like design still stands out along Scotts Road today.
Image credit: Singapore Jews
Maghain Aboth Synagogue is Singapore’s oldest Jewish synagogue and a reminder that the country’s multicultural history goes far beyond the usual Chinese, Malay, and Indian categories we learnt in school.
Image credit: Learn Islam
One unusual feature of Hajjah Fatimah Mosque is its slightly tilted minaret. Many people compare it to a mini Leaning Tower of Pisa, except this one is in Kampong Gelam.
Image credit: National Heritage Board
The Cathay was once the tallest building in Southeast Asia and one of the first cinemas in Singapore. During World War II, it was used by the Japanese military as an administrative headquarters.
Image credit: National Museum of Singapore
Cavenagh Bridge across the Singapore River has been around since 1869. You can still spot old signs warning people not to carry cattle across it.
Image credit: Zairon via Wikimedia
Anderson Bridge is famous for its elegant steel arches and decorative lamps. During the Japanese Occupation, the heads of executed civilians were reportedly displayed here as a warning.
Image credit: CEphoto, Uwe Aranas via Wikimedia
Elgin Bridge links the historic areas around Boat Quay and Clarke Quay. Earlier versions of the bridge were made from timber before the current structure was built. Interestingly, the original structures of all 3 Singapore River bridges were first built in Britain before being shipped over.
Image credit: Jurong Lake District
The Jurong Town Hall building symbolised Singapore’s industrialisation push during the 1960s. Back then, Jurong was still viewed as ulu territory filled with swamps and factories. A group of local architects designed this building for the JTC headquarters.
Singapore changes fast. Entire neighbourhoods can look completely different within a generation, so National Monuments help preserve physical reminders of the country’s history.
According to the National Heritage Board, monuments are protected because they have exceptional historical, architectural, cultural, or social significance. Some are tied to major moments such as World War II, independence, migration, religion, or Singapore’s economic development.
The Preservation of Sites and Monuments division under NHB studies buildings, sites, and structures that may have national significance. If approved under the Preservation of Monuments Act, the monument is officially gazetted and legally protected from demolition or inappropriate alterations.
Some of Singapore’s oldest National Monuments date back to the early 1800s, including the Armenian Church and Thian Hock Keng.
Many National Monuments are open to the public, including museums, hotels, religious buildings, and cultural sites. Some, like The Istana, are only accessible during selected open house dates.
Singapore may be known for shiny new malls and ever-changing skylines, but the city also hides layers of history in plain sight. Some National Monuments are massive landmarks everyone recognises, while others quietly sit between office towers and HDB estates with stories most people have never even heard.
More heritage places:
Cover image adapted from: Sentosa, @acm_sg, Uwe Aranas, Goodwood Park Hotel, Visit Singapore, @wanfanp, @raffleshotelsingapore, National Gallery Singapore, User: Sengkang, Ministry of Digital Development and Information, Allie_Caulfield, @4402_39, @armenian.church.sg, @sarah.uph, Singapore Cricket Club, @ivanvictory
It’s glow-up time.
We have more than 75 gazetted monuments!
There’s even going to be a digital graffiti wall.
Find a gym that’s near your home or office.
Rainforest Wild Adventure The hullabaloo about Rainforest Wild Asia, it seems, is not ready to…
More details on dates and ticket prices will be released at a later date.