Cenotaph
3.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
3.5
34 reviews
Excellent
3
Very good
12
Average
18
Poor
1
Terrible
0
KodoDrummer
Buenos Aires, Argentina70,626 contributions
Dec 2018 • Friends
Remembering those who fought for our freedom and in many cases their own lives is very important. Especially in a world where we have leaders threatening with terms such as “Locked and loaded.” The many fallen have given the ultimate sacrifice. The Cenotaph is a war memorial in Esplanade Park. It was first dedicated in 1922 to the remembrance of 124 British soldiers of Singapore who perished during World War I. After World War II, the remembrance was amended to include the Singaporean fallen of the second major war of the 20th century.
Written 23 January 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SOH KIEN PENG
Singapore, Singapore9,316 contributions
Jul 2019 • Friends
I came here to volunteer as a first aider for the National Day Preview. We reported to SAF medical tents which was located beside this Cenotaph. We also conducted our debriefing right beside the monument. As such, I have the opportunity to have a closer look on this war memorial.
On one side of the memorial, the salute went to 124 British soldiers who were resident or born in Singapore and who sacrificed their lives between 1914 and 1918 during the First World War.
The other side of the monument was in remembrance of those who died in defense of this country during the Second World War between 1941 and 1945. There is an inscription on the memorial that reads:
They Died that we might live.
Very few Singaporeans felt the effect of the First World War but the indelible memory of the torture and brutality of the Japanese Imperialists during the Second World War still lingers till this day. Almost every family in Singapore have one or two relatives who were killed during the 3 years 8 months of Japanese tyranny. We grew up hearing stories of the war atrocities and treasure the importance of peace, the importance of national service and having a strong defense system.
Each year, we celebrated our National Day and this year at the Padang in conjunction with the Bicentennial celebration and this Cenotaph may look British in design but it carries the same significance to me. This country is no longer a British colony and the burden is now on the citizens to defend this country in the event of war. We can no longer rely on colonial masters to protect us. We do not want war but must be prepared for war.
We are an independent nation for the past 50 over years. We are a tiny dot and we lack natural resources, can we survive another 50 years?
We seem to have the self determination and the resilience in our DNA to forge ahead despite challenges and uncertainties but how long can that destiny last? No one can really predict.
We were once part of the Srivijaya and Majapahit empires. The British colonialists occupied us. The Japanese Imperialists ruined our future. For the last 200 years of our tumultuous history, we went through cycles of upheavals and aggression, will peace last forever?
The great military strategist articulated: The Supreme art of war is to subdue your enemies without fighting.
We hope there will not be a need or a day for another cenotaph to be erected at some spot in Singapore for the remembrance of those who perished for another war for this nation! But if there is war, we are prepared.
On one side of the memorial, the salute went to 124 British soldiers who were resident or born in Singapore and who sacrificed their lives between 1914 and 1918 during the First World War.
The other side of the monument was in remembrance of those who died in defense of this country during the Second World War between 1941 and 1945. There is an inscription on the memorial that reads:
They Died that we might live.
Very few Singaporeans felt the effect of the First World War but the indelible memory of the torture and brutality of the Japanese Imperialists during the Second World War still lingers till this day. Almost every family in Singapore have one or two relatives who were killed during the 3 years 8 months of Japanese tyranny. We grew up hearing stories of the war atrocities and treasure the importance of peace, the importance of national service and having a strong defense system.
Each year, we celebrated our National Day and this year at the Padang in conjunction with the Bicentennial celebration and this Cenotaph may look British in design but it carries the same significance to me. This country is no longer a British colony and the burden is now on the citizens to defend this country in the event of war. We can no longer rely on colonial masters to protect us. We do not want war but must be prepared for war.
We are an independent nation for the past 50 over years. We are a tiny dot and we lack natural resources, can we survive another 50 years?
We seem to have the self determination and the resilience in our DNA to forge ahead despite challenges and uncertainties but how long can that destiny last? No one can really predict.
We were once part of the Srivijaya and Majapahit empires. The British colonialists occupied us. The Japanese Imperialists ruined our future. For the last 200 years of our tumultuous history, we went through cycles of upheavals and aggression, will peace last forever?
The great military strategist articulated: The Supreme art of war is to subdue your enemies without fighting.
We hope there will not be a need or a day for another cenotaph to be erected at some spot in Singapore for the remembrance of those who perished for another war for this nation! But if there is war, we are prepared.
Written 31 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bearie241
Singapore, Singapore138 contributions
Sept 2017 • Solo
nothing much here. just a memory for the fallen. but interesting to note that this was built before WWII and there was a fight at this location. you can still see some bullet holes left behind.
Written 13 September 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nigel G
Singapore, Singapore8,676 contributions
Oct 2020 • Solo
The Cenotaph. An empty sarcophagus by which we remember the war dead - this commemorates the military fallen in the great wars. Erected in 1922 with a nearby plaque to give the history. Located opposite the National Gallery across the Padang.
Written 24 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ez2ctheworld
Geneva, Switzerland207 contributions
Apr 2013
Place where local youths hangout and used to skateboard off the steps until police shut that down. Motorcyclists congregate at night. Nothing much to see, although the park nice and from the River you can see the laser show the casino puts on at night.
Written 22 April 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David D
Devon, UK27,006 contributions
Oct 2019
Friday 25th October and we visited Esplanade Park where this almost 60 foot high Memorial is located.
The Memorial honours the heros who fought and died during World War I and World War II. Bronze plates bear the names of those who lost their lives.
Always think it is most appropriate to visit Cenotaphs and Memorials, to honor the Fallen and to pay respects.
The Memorial honours the heros who fought and died during World War I and World War II. Bronze plates bear the names of those who lost their lives.
Always think it is most appropriate to visit Cenotaphs and Memorials, to honor the Fallen and to pay respects.
Written 29 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Erwin K
Bandung,Indonesia1,950 contributions
Sept 2014 • Couples
Visited the Cenotaph , located at the Esplanade Park , when we watched the Singapore Formula 1 GP ,September 2014.
Its a war memorial dedicated to those who lost their lives on WW1 and WW2 , British and allied soldiers and Singapore resident during that time period.
Quite ordinary monument , but well preserved , and at its best condition
Its a war memorial dedicated to those who lost their lives on WW1 and WW2 , British and allied soldiers and Singapore resident during that time period.
Quite ordinary monument , but well preserved , and at its best condition
Written 14 October 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jolyon67
Melbourne, Australia5,672 contributions
Aug 2013 • Solo
If you are a British citizen you feel almost compelled to visit this cenotaph, like it is your duty. It is comforting to see such a familiar landmark in a place so far away from home, but at the same time really makes you feel for the soldiers during WW1 & 2 and how they must have felt.
Written 2 May 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Edwin F
Calgary, Canada1,739 contributions
Mar 2014 • Couples
While visiting various attractions in Singapore we happened to pass the Cenotaph. We pondered and took some photographs. Would not have made a special trip to visit it.
Written 30 March 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paul L
Hallam, Australia998 contributions
Nov 2013 • Solo
Near the Padang and near many of the attractions of Singapore this cenotaph can be visited by anyone walking out towards Lavender as well.
Ultimately this is a nice enough cenotaph to honour the fallen of World War One and World War Two. There is nothing special about it and these sort of things exist the world over but it is nice its been kept in such good trim.
Ultimately this is a nice enough cenotaph to honour the fallen of World War One and World War Two. There is nothing special about it and these sort of things exist the world over but it is nice its been kept in such good trim.
Written 18 March 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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