NATIONAL GALLERY (MUSEUM)
A must-see among the city's museums, offering a superb selection of Southeast Asian art from every era.
The former Supreme Court and City Hall were merged in 2015 to form the brand-new National Art Gallery. With its focus on Asian art, it features a large permanent collection tracing the history of Art in Southeast Asia from the 19th century to the present day.
The Old Supreme Court. This imposing domed structure was built in 1939 on the site of the Grand Hôtel de l'Europe, which closed in 1932. It was the last classical-style building constructed during the colonial period. The frescoes on the dome and the Corinthian-style columns are the work of the Italian Rudolf Nolli, who also designed the throne hall of the King of Thailand. Since 2005, the Supreme Court has been housed in a new building on High Street, designed by Norman Foster and featuring a roof in the shape of a flying saucer.
City Hall. This neo-classical building dates from the late 1920s. It was once home to a number of fine colonial houses built by architect George Drumgoole Coleman in the 1830s. A Corinthian-style colonnade runs along the façade. It was here that the Japanese surrender was signed on September 12, 1945. On the steps of City Hall, Japanese General Itagaki laid down his arms at the feet of Lord Mountbatten, Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces in South-East Asia. It was also here that Lee Kuan Yew delivered his Independence Day speech on August 9, 1965.
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