The Padang will be officially gazetted as Singapore’s 75th National Monument on 9 August 2022, making it the first green, open space to join the country’s list of National Monuments.
The Padang stands out amidst the other edifices surrounding it in the Civic District as well as the larger commercial core of the city centre in its south-west. It has been retained as an open green space despite the many development changes in its vicinity since Singapore’s colonial days.
The Padang will be officially gazetted as Singapore’s 75th National Monument on 9 August 2022 - the iconic site is a social and community space that has borne witness to many significant national events, and today, continues to serve as a venue for recreation and sporting events.
Significance Of The Padang
The historic site is associated with key milestones in Singapore’s history, including the victory parade celebrating the formal surrender of the Japanese in Singapore on 12 September 1945; the victory rally of the first fully elected Legislative Assembly on 3 June 1959; the installation of Mr Yusof Ishak as the first Malayan-born Yang di-Pertuan Negara (head of state) and the unveiling of National Symbols on 3 December 1959; as well as the inaugural National Day Parade on 9 August 1966.
The Padang is also one of Singapore’s oldest spaces for public recreation and
celebrations, and hosted sporting events during the colonial period such as New Year’s day sports and cricket matches. Celebrations for royal birthdays, jubilees, coronations, Lunar New Year, Thaipusam and the Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday have also been held there.
Promoting Great Awareness of The Padang
The National Heritage Board (NHB) will promote greater awareness and appreciation of the Padang’s significance in Singapore’s history through various commemorative initiatives to be launched from August, including tours and interactive games for students and members of the public.
Maze@Padang On Minecraft
Date: August 2022 (pilot), October 2022 (launch)
Fees: TBC
Targeted at upper primary students, Maze@Padang is a multi-player online Minecraft game where students will be transported to a virtual underground maze beneath the Padang. Participants will compete against their peers to hunt for clues and answer questions in a bid to escape the maze in the fastest possible time. The game will allow students to learn about the significance of the Padang and the important milestones in Singapore’s road to independence in a fun and interactive manner.
More Than A Green Field
Date:
- 13, 21, 27 August: 4pm - 5.30pm
- 14, 20, 28 August: 10am - 11.30am & 4 - 5.30pm
Fees: $5 (standard); $3 (students and senior citizens)
This tour centres on Singapore’s newest gazetted National Monument – the Padang, and takes participants through the majestic Former Supreme Court and Former City Hall. Learn about the historical significance behind these monuments and the key milestones in Singapore's journey to nationhood which they have borne witness to.
Monumental Hunt in the Civic District
Date: Every Saturday from 5 November - 18 December 2022
Time: 10am - 3pm
Fees: TBC
Join Mongo the Monkey for a fun-filled puzzle hunt in the Civic District! Inspired by escape rooms and treasure hunts, players will get to explore the area, discover fascinating new facts about our National Monuments, and solve puzzles to discover the location of the final treasure
