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Memorial · Singapore

Raffles' Landing Site

Photograph at the Raffles' Landing Site Memorial
Photograph: User:Sengkang, via Wikimedia Commons (Copyrighted free use).

This memorial marks a significant historical location, traditionally identified as the spot where Sir Stamford Raffles first came ashore in Singapore. The site commemorates an event in early 1819, acknowledging the profound impact attributed to Raffles in shaping the future of Singapore. It recognises the transformation of the settlement from its earlier state into a notable port city and a modern urban centre, as perceived by its proponents. This monument stands as a lasting tribute to that pivotal moment and the subsequent developments.

The memorial is situated in an area that holds considerable historical significance for Singapore, specifically within the Civic District. This district forms part of the Downtown Core, which serves as the central business hub of the city. The act of commemorating historical figures and events through public memorials is a long-standing tradition globally, often reflecting prevailing narratives about national or civic origins and development. This particular site reflects a foundational narrative relating to Singapore's emergence as a significant international port.

Visitors will find this memorial situated at Boat Quay, within Singapore's bustling Civic District. It stands in the Downtown Core, which is the central business district. The memorial is a statue at the site itself, allowing those who visit to see the place traditionally associated with Raffles's arrival. This central location makes it accessible for anyone wishing to reflect on this historical moment in Singapore's development.

Inscription

“On this historic site, Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles first landed in Singapore on 29th January 1819, and with genius and perception changed the destiny of Singapore from an obscure fishing village to a great seaport and modern metropolis.”
Transcribed from the Memorial at Singapore.

Background

Raffles's Landing Site marks the spot traditionally believed to be where Sir Stamford Raffles first arrived in Singapore. This significant location is situated at Boat Quay, within the modern-day Civic District. It lies in the heart of the Central Area, the bustling central business district of Singapore.

Original summary by TributeLegacy, informed by public sources.

Source: OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Geographic data via OpenStreetMap.

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Data sources

Location records are drawn from open, licence-clean datasets, kept here with attribution and gratitude to the people who maintain them.

  • Open Plaques, dedicated to the public domain (CC0). See openplaques.org.
  • Wikidata, available under the CC0 1.0 Universal dedication.
  • © OpenStreetMap contributors, available under the Open Database Licence.
  • Historic England, National Heritage List for England, used under the Open Government Licence v3.0. War memorial records are drawn from open community datasets (OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, NHLE) - never from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, which is excluded.

Editorial descriptions, photography and tribute links are original TributeLegacy work, layered on top of the open data.

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