Culture of Singapore City. Places to visit - old town, temples, theaters, museums and palaces

Singapore is the location of numerous monuments of the colonial era. Parliament House is a striking example of it. It was built in 1827; the mansion was originally owned by a wealthy merchant. Later the building housed the court, and it became the residence of the country’s parliament only in 1965. During your walk through the city one can see large number of unusual sculptures and monuments, each of which has its own original story. Thus, in Merlion Park you will find an interesting statue called "Sea Lion". The sculpture depicts an unusual animal with lion's head and the body of the fish. It is believed that this unusual monument protects the city from storms and other water disasters. The territory of the city is divided into several national quarters, in each of which you can find not only interesting sights, but also national restaurants and shops.

Chinatown is the location of the famous Sri Mariamman temple. People come to the shrine to admire its luxurious design as well as to watch the yogis who perform the most incredible exercises in the square in front of the temple. From a historical point of view Chijimes Chapel Hall is a truly interesting structure. Several centuries ago the beautiful building housed a monastery. In the beginning of the 20th century a beautiful Gothic chapel was built near the architectural complex. Currently Chijimes Hall regularly hosts theatrical performances, musical concerts and other celebrations.

Among the newer architectural monuments we should definitely mention the legendary hotel "Raffles", which was opened in 1886. The hotel greeted many famous guests. It is also considered the home of the well-known cocktail "Singapore Sling". Not far away from the hotel is located a huge number of cultural institutions, restaurants and shops. Fans of theater art are recommended to visit Victoria Theatre, which has been named in honor of the Queen of Great Britain. The building, which houses the theater, was built in 1905. In Victoria Theatre are regularly held concerts of classical music, dramatic plays and dance performances. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

There are also buildings in Singapore considered to be downright out of the ordinary. Such, for example, is the Armenian church of St. Gregory the Illuminator. The place of worship is worth mentioning because it is the oldest temple in the region. It was built according to George D. Coleman’s project, at the expense of the Armenian community. Furthermore, this is the first building in the city in which electric lighting was installed. The majestic Saint Andrew’s Cathedral built in the early Anglican Gothic style, is regarded as interesting because there are famous personalities of Singapore depicted on its stained-glass windows.

There is also the Sultan Mosque, a place of worship for Muslims. It was built in the beginning of the 18th century. The sanctuary was erected with the funds of the Muslim community. It is said that for this purpose, some townspeople handed in bottles, and as a reminder of this act, the base of the dome is made from bottled necks. Well, an original contrast-maker is the amazing carpet located on the floor of the shrine, which was donated by the prince of Saudi Arabia. Another unusual building in Singapore is Abdul Gaffoor Mosque. It defies the imagination from the very first minutes, representing a chic combination of yellow and emerald color, which is now a landmark of the mosque.

The momentary Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum will be an excellent addition to an excursion targeted at places of the city with beautiful architecture. “Luxurious” and “stylish”, are just a few epithets that come to mind when you take a glance at the temple. The building was constructed in 2005 in honor of Vesak’s Day 2007. Another colorful holy place is Sri Mariamman Temple – such an abundance of colors can be seen, perhaps, only during the celebration of the Holi holiday. The time of the construction of the temple dates back to the year 1925. It was built in honor of the goddess, who is believed to protect people from all diseases and misfortunes. Note that you cannot enter the temple just like that, you need to observe several rituals like ring the bell (this must be done on exiting too), and you need to enter barefooted unfailingly too. The latter is a must.

An interesting building can be seen in the Marine Parade area. This is about Katong Antique House, which is a museum as well as an antique store. The exhibits collected here will amaze any experienced tourist. In addition, this building stores history, and as a result, it is loved by many connoisseurs of history. It is definitely worth going for a ride on Singapore Flyer – not only because it can bring an unforgettable experience due to the adrenaline boost, but because the views of the city contain all the mysticism of Singapore, showing the city from an entirely different mysterious and beautiful side.