Sir Stamford Raffles is the founder of modern Singapore. Raffles first landed in Singapore in 1819 at what is now known as the Raffles Landing Site, on the banks of the Singapore River.
This white marble Raffles statue is located on the banks of the Singapore River. This statue is one of the most photographed tourist attractions by tourists and locals alike. The statue was unveiled in 1972, on the 150th anniversary of Singapore's founding.
Sir Stamford Raffles statue on the banks of the Singapore River / Visit Singapore
If you want to see a much older original statue, you can take a short walk to Victoria Memorial Hall at Empress Place. This original Sir Raffles statue was sculpted by the renowned English sculptor and poet Thomas Woolner and unveiled on Jubilee Day on 27 June 1887.
During the Japanese occupation, the statue was transferred to the Syonan Museum (now the National Museum of Singapore). After the Japanese left Singapore in 1946, this statue is on display at Empress Place to this day.
Until this day, the statue of Sir Stamford Raffles is a national icon and remains a symbol of modern Singapore.
An older version of Sir Stamford Raffles statue, on display at Empress Place / Orderinchaos
