Set Sail Through Time With Singapore Odyssea At The National Museum of Singapore’s Revamped Glass Rotunda

Embark on an immersive voyage across 700 years of Singapore’s history with stunning visuals, interactive companions, and multi-sensory storytelling.

Venue: National Museum of Singapore, Shaw Foundation Glass Rotunda, Level 2
Date: from 8 Aug 2025
Time: Museum opening hours
Fee: Free for Singaporeans & PRs | $18 (Foreigners Concession (Students, Seniors,
Persons with Disabilities) | $24 (Foreigners - Standard)

Launch of Singapore Odyssea: A Journey Through Time

After a 10-month closure, the National Museum of Singapore is unveiling the first of its refreshed permanent galleries — the Shaw Foundation Glass Rotunda. Presented as part of the museum’s SG60 gift to the nation, this iconic space now houses Singapore Odyssea: A Journey Through Time, a multi-sensorial installation replacing the former Story of the Forest.

The experience offers visitors an evocative blend of art, history, and technology — chronicling Singapore’s transformation over 700 years through immersive visuals, dynamic soundscapes, and interactive elements.

Installation Highlights

RFID Wristband Companion

At the entrance of the Glass Rotunda, visitors are invited to adopt a magical companion via an RFID wristband for a personalised journey through Singapore Odyssea. These animated companions illuminate the path as visitors descend into the heart of the rotunda, revealing hidden historical scenes and unlocking unique story moments along the way. Inspired by Singapore’s rich biodiversity, the magical companions include land, marine, and sky creatures drawn from both past and present fauna.

• Land: Pangolin, Banded Langur, Otter
• Sea: Hawksbill Turtle, Crab, Swordfish
• Sky: Common Rose Butterfly, Hornbill, Straw-headed Bulbul

Each companion offers a distinct lens through which visitors can experience the exhibition, creating a journey that is both interactive and personal.

Introduction

Visitors begin their journey with a vision of Singapore in the near future – a green, connected, and sustainable city. Inspired by the Singapore Green Plan 2030, this imagined landscape blends iconic landmarks and upcoming developments such as the Founders’ Memorial, Tuas Port, and Greater Southern Waterfront with futuristic architecture and abundant greenery. This scene sets a hopeful tone, reflecting Singapore’s commitment to building a liveable and resilient future.

LED Globe

Upon entering the Glass Rotunda, visitors are greeted by a captivating light show projected through a suspended LED globe – the first of its kind in a Singapore museum. This dynamic display traces the evolution of trade routes from the pre-colonial era to the present, highlighting Singapore’s enduring role in global connectivity and exchange.

Travelling through history on the spiral ramp

Visitors will then embark on an exciting sea voyage as explorers uncovering the layers of Singapore’s history, descending the spiral ramp from the present into the past. The journey unfolds across four episodes, each anchored in a key period of time: from present day to independence, postwar to wartime, the colonial era, and pre-colonial times. Told from the perspective of the sea, each chapter reveals the iconic events and encounters that shaped Singapore over 700 years.

Along the descent, immersive diorama-style projections line the curved walls, bringing each historical moment to life in vivid, cinematic detail. Accompanied by their magical companions, visitors move through these scenes as though diving deeper into the past-creating a sense of discovery, reflection, and connection across centuries.

• Episode 1: Setting Sail - Scenes from Independence to present-day Singapore

Episode 1 aims to evoke hope, anticipation, and progress by tracing Singapore’s growth from independence in 1965 to its rise as a thriving global hub in the present day. The sea is depicted as a driving force behind the nation’s economic transformation and international reputation, illustrated through scenes of Changi Airport, Gardens by the Bay, and bustling container ports.

• Episode 2: Riding Out the Storm - Scenes from wartime and postwar Singapore

Episode 2 covers wartime and postwar Singapore, depicting the sea as a battleground and escape route. Key scenes include the sinking of the HMS Prince of Wales and Repulse, Japanese air raids, and early nation-building efforts. This chapter evokes feelings of turbulence, uncertainty, and suspense.

• Episode 3: Age of Exploration - Scenes from colonial Singapore

Episode 3 portrays Singapore during its colonial era, with the sea as a gateway to the world, evoking wonder and surprise. The thriving port city, set against a tropical landscape, welcomed traders, immigrants, and new ideas. This is brought to life through vibrant scenes of tongkangs, rickshaw coolies, and Samsui women going about their daily lives around the Singapore River, plantations, and the bustling port.

• Episode 4: Shores of Singapura - Scenes from pre-colonial Singapore

The final episode dives into Singapore’s mythical pre-colonial past, sparking a sense of curiosity and wonder. It highlights a lush, untamed landscape of tropical forests and swamps, inhabited by seafaring communities. Visitors encounter the Orang Laut, the legend of the Palembang prince Sang Nila Utama’s arrival on the island, and the story of Badang and the Singapore Stone.

Immersive and interactive waterfall at the base drum of the Glass Rotunda

At the base of the Glass Rotunda, visitors will encounter an immersive digital waterfall that surrounds them in motion, light, and sound. Cascading visuals shimmer across the walls, evoking both natural beauty and the flow of time. Through the curtain of falling water, a faint glimpse of a historical scene beckons beyond.

As visitors step closer, the waterfall parts, revealing a moment from Singapore’s past. Dynamic ripples on the floor respond to each visitor’s movement and to others nearby, creating a shared, ever-shifting experience.

Release of the Magical Companions

At the final interactive kiosk, visitors can “release” their magical companions by tapping their RFID wristbands against the rim of a “well”. In response, their companions appear on the wall and merge into a final multimedia sequence inspired by the old Malay myth of Pauh Janggi, the great tree of life in the middle of the ocean, and a giant crab whose movements cause the tides to rise and fall.

When the sequence concludes, visitors will seamlessly transition to the Singapore History Gallery, where the story continues with pre-colonial narratives drawn from the Sejarah Melayu (Malay Annals), deepening the connection between myth, memory, and nation.

Sustainability at Heart

Continuing the eco-conscious dialogue from Story of the Forest, Singapore Odyssea reflects how Singapore’s identity is tied to the sea and environment — from early coastal communities to future climate resilience. Visitors will also encounter reimagined myths of legendary creatures like the giant tide-moving crab and Pauh Janggi tree, connecting ancient stories to modern ecological challenges.

Celebrate National Day with More Experiences

Opening on 8 August 2025, Singapore Odyssea is part of a series of special programmes at the National Museum of Singapore leading up to National Day. Highlights include:

• Once Upon A Tide – A commemorative exhibition on Singapore’s maritime evolution
• Hands-On Art Activities & Live Performances
• Community-Built LEGO Installations
• Canvas of Light: Our Nation’s Journey – A spectacular evening projection show on 9 August 2025

Ticketing Info

All prices are inclusive of GST. General Admission tickets are inclusive of entry into the Singapore History Gallery and the Once Upon a Tide: Singapore's Journey from Settlement to Global City exhibition.

To ensure everyone can enjoy the full Singapore Odyssea experience comfortably, admission into the experience is by timed entry. Please secure your preferred time slot when you book your tickets. 

Please note that the Magical Companions experience will not be available on Open House days: 9 August (National Day), 11-12 October (NMS Anniversary), 20 October (Deepavali) and 25 December (Christmas). 

For more information, please visit go.gov.sg/singapore-odyssea or the National Museum’s
Facebook and Instagram pages.