Fort Canning Historic Trail

Spice Garden

Begin your trail at the Spice Garden, a replica of the first experimental botanic garden in Singapore established by Sir Stamford Raffles. Raffles had noble ambitions for Singapore's agricultural development, and had sent from Bencoolen spices like clove plants and nutmeg seeds to be planted in the garden.

Gothic Gates

These imposing and sombre gateways in gothic style lead the visitor into Fort Canning Green, where a Christian cemetery used to stand. Built in 1846, these gates have since become landmarks of Fort Canning Hill. Note the letters above both gates - IHS - standing for Iota Heta Sigm , the first three letters of the Greek word for Jesus.

Christian Cemetery

The frequent outdoor concerts and carnivals now held at Fort Canning Green belie the fact that the area was once a graveyard for some 600 Christian graves. The only graves left are at the far end of the Green (near Drama Centre). Some tombstones that were removed were set into the wall surrounding Fort Canning Green.

Cupolas

The cupolas, designed by George Coleman, were probably places of rest. The word 'cupola' means a small dome-shaped roof or ceiling. George Coleman was a talented architect who left his mark on the urban landscape of Singapore. He was Raffles' consultant on Singapore's first town plan. As Superintendent of Public Works, he oversaw projects of land reclamation and construction of roads and landmarks such as the Armenian Church.

James Brooke Napier Memorial

Dedicated to James Brooke Napier, the infant son of William Napier, who was Singapore's first Law Agent, and Maria Frances Napier, the widow of George Coleman. The memorial was the largest erected in the cemetery, reflecting the status of William Napier. Take a closer look at the architecture of this memorial and compare with that of the cupolas.

Fort Canning Centre

Fort Canning Centre used to be the barracks of the British Army. The British Army chose Fort Canning as its headquarters of its defence bases in the 1920s to protect British interests in Southeast Asia.

Underground Far East Command Centre (The Battle Box)

During the Second World War, Lt. General A E Percival (Commander of British Forces) used the underground bunkers at Fort Canning as his commanding base.

Sally Port

Make a narrow escape through the sally port, a small hidden door that leads into or out of a fort, allowing occupants to escape from the fort undetected. Fort Canning had at least three sally ports but only one remains today.

Fort Wall and Gate

" ... In the hill overlooking the Settlement, and commanding it and a considerable portion of the anchorage, a small Fort, capable of mounting 8 or 10 pounders and of containing a magazine off brick or stone, together with a barrack for the permanent residence of 30 European artillery, and of temporary accomodation of the rest of the garrison in case of emergency."

Raffles, in a letter to William Farquhar in 1819, on the suitability of building a fortress on Government Hill.

9 Pound Canon

One of a pair of cannons that was meant to shoot 9-pound cannon balls. Playing a decorative role rather than a defensive one, the cannon was fired three times a day at 5am, 1pm, and 9pm to announce the hour. It was also fired as a salute and warning of town fires. Next to the cannon is South Battery, the site at which the main battery of guns was mounted to defend Singapore in the 19th century.

Look-out Point / Raffles' House

Raffles built his house on Government Hill on his third and last visit to Singapore.

"We have lately built a small bungalow on Singapore Hill where, though the height is inconsiderable, we find a great difference in climate. Nothing can be more interesting and beautiful than the view from this spot?

The tombs of the Malay Kings are close at hand, and I have settled that if it is my fate to die here I shall take my place amongst them: this will at any rate be better than leaving my bones at Bencoolen?
- Raffles in a letter to William Marsden in 1823

Keramat Iskandar Shah

Keramat Iskandar Shah is a sacred place dedicated to Iskandar Shah (also known as Parameswara before he converted to Islam), the last ruler of 14th century Singapore before he fled to Melaka to escape an attack from the Siamese. Although named after him, scholars thought that the keramat could not be Iskandar Shah's tomb as he had died in Melaka.

Archaeological Excavation Site

In 1984, archaeologist John Miksic and his team began an archaeological excavation that continues until today.
Among the artefacts recovered were porcelain, earthenware and glass shards. These artefacts show that there could have been a Malay kingdom on Fort Canning Hill, with possibility of glass and gold workshops.