SENTOSA, Fort Siloso
Language: English / USA
Fort Siloso is one of the most interesting historical sites in Singapore. It is the only coastal gun battery to have been restored of the 12 of its kind that once formed "Fortress Singapore" at the start of the Second World War.
Fort Siloso, whose name derives from a Malay word meaning “rock”, was built by the British between 1874 and 1880 to protect the narrow western entrance to the city’s port from attack, including pirate raids. The rocky peak of Mount Siloso was flattened during the construction work, so that a gun platform could be installed.
During the Second World War, the fort was expanded and modernized, and became the city’s first line of defense.
The fort is very well preserved, and the numerous bunkers, barracks, long tunnels and gun emplacements have recently been opened to the public for free. There is also a small military museum you can visit, with a fine collection of weapons, which offers a reconstruction of the events of the Second World War and the Japanese occupation of Singapore, during which the fort was used as a detention center for prisoners of war.
There are three roads leading to the fort, but I suggest you take the Siloso Skywalk, a walkway the height of an 11-storey building that acts as a bridge above the forest, offering marvelous views of the western part of Sentosa and its wildlife. The Skywalk takes about ten minutes, and is also free of charge.
An interesting fact: the fort was built to defend Singapore from invasion from the sea from the south. However, during the Battle of Singapore in February 1942, the guns were turned 180 degrees inland, to fire at the Japanese troops approaching the city from the north. The Japanese were badly hit, but the British and local troops who were retreating via the sea were mistaken for enemy forces, and also came under fire. The battle ended with the surrender of the British troops and the Japanese occupation of the city.
Our visit to Sentosa ends here. MyWoWo would like to thank you - see you again at another Wonder of the World!
