Istana Palace
Orchard Road, Singapore 238823
The Istana Palace, a national monument of Singapore is the official residence and office of the President of Singapore. Meaning “palace” in Malay, it is where the President receives and entertains state guests. The Istana is also the working office of the Prime Minister of Singapore.
The 106-acre (0.4-km²) estate was once part of the extensive nutmeg plantation of Mount Sophia. In 1867, the British colonial government acquired the land and built a mansion to be the official home of the British governor. This continued until 1959 when Singapore was granted self-government, and the governor was replaced by the Yang di-Pertuan Negara, who was in turn replaced by the President.
Since its first occupancy in 1869, the Istana Palace has seen 21 terms of governorship (1869–1958), two terms of occupation by the Yang di-Pertuan Negara (1959–1965) and six terms of presidential occupation (since 1965), not to mention the Japanese occupancy between 1942 and 1945.
However, no presidents nor cabinet ministers have lived there since 1959. The villas, which are meant to be used for foreign heads of state, are used rarely. The Istana building and its grounds are open to the public on five selected statutory holidays – Chinese New Year, Deepavali, Hari Raya Puasa, Labour Day and National day. Due to the closeness of Deepavali and Hari Raya Puasa in some years, the grounds of the Istana are sometimes open only once during this period in commemoration of both public holidays. The grounds are also often used for state functions and ceremonial occasions such as swearings-in, investitures and the presentation of credentials by heads of foreign missions. The Prime Minister, Senior Minister and Minister Mentor have their offices in the Istana Annex.
On the first Sunday of the month, there is a Changing of the Guards parade, which is a popular public event.
Source : wikipedia
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g14wGtm91YI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKMnHy6RJLc
Change of Guards Performance
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lpv_w91xqY4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjHRxoNm5-o
Reviews
Opening hours and Admission
Change of Guards Schedule
Getting there : A three-minute walk west along Orchard Road from Dhoby Ghaut MRT takes you past the Plaza Singapura mall, beyond which stern-looking soldiers guard the main gate of Singapore’s Istana.
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