I Stand Alone
Sir Stamford Raffles Founder of Singapore
This original dark bronze statue was sculpted by renowned English sculptor and poet Thomas Woolner, it was unveiled on Jubilee Day on 27 June 1887.
The status was transferred from Empress Place to the Victoria Memorial Hall ( present location) in 1972 on the 150th anniversary of Singapore's founding.
Trivia buffs will love some of the stories behind the Raffles Statue. For one, it was nicknamed orang besi (“iron man” in Malay) when it was first unveiled.
Another quirky fact is that the statue was relocated from its original site at the Padang to Empress Place in 1919. It was often hit by flying footballs during games, and early Padang spectators liked sitting at its base for a good view.
During the Japanese Occupation, the statue was moved to Syonan Museum (the former Raffles Museum, now National Museum Singapore), and it was widely believed that the Japanese had intended for it to be melted for its bronze. It was reinstalled at Empress Place in 1946.
Today, the statue is a national icon and remains a symbol of modern Singapore.
I Stand Alone
Sir Stamford Raffles Founder of Singapore
This original dark bronze statue was sculpted by renowned English sculptor and poet Thomas Woolner, it was unveiled on Jubilee Day on 27 June 1887.
The status was transferred from Empress Place to the Victoria Memorial Hall ( present location) in 1972 on the 150th anniversary of Singapore's founding.
Trivia buffs will love some of the stories behind the Raffles Statue. For one, it was nicknamed orang besi (“iron man” in Malay) when it was first unveiled.
Another quirky fact is that the statue was relocated from its original site at the Padang to Empress Place in 1919. It was often hit by flying footballs during games, and early Padang spectators liked sitting at its base for a good view.
During the Japanese Occupation, the statue was moved to Syonan Museum (the former Raffles Museum, now National Museum Singapore), and it was widely believed that the Japanese had intended for it to be melted for its bronze. It was reinstalled at Empress Place in 1946.
Today, the statue is a national icon and remains a symbol of modern Singapore.