- Address: 101 Siloso Rd, Singapore
- Phone: +65 6736 8672
- Website: fortsiloso.com
- Working hours: 10.00-18.00
Sentosa Island is not only an entertaining island, on its shore the authorities of Singapore have preserved in the best possible Fort Siloso (fort Siloso). This historic military facility is located in the western part of the island and is the only of the twelve similar ones that have survived to this day.
A bit of history
In 1880, the British created on the coast of the island a line of defensive batteries, some of which, incl. and Fort Silos, defended the Keppel Strait from attacks by pirates. And they, alas, even 150 years ago there were many. It is interesting that in the translation "siloso" means "jealous person". Fort Silos has always been a special strategic object.
At the beginning of the XX century it was well fortified and modernized. Later equipped with 150 millimeter guns Mark-2 and installed two fast-moving twelve-foot trunks. The British also on the territory of the fort at a depth of 9 meters dug a bomb shelter, the outer width of the walls of which reached one meter. It was a real underground headquarters with full equipment of ammunition, water and supplies. But neither the linear defense of the island, nor the personnel reserves, nor the numerous garrison helped to protect themselves from the Japanese attack. After all, when in the jungles of China the Japanese army fought fiercely, in Singapore and the surrounding area there was a measured rear life. In addition, the attack was not made from the sea, as expected, but from the land. As a result, in February 1942, Singapore capitulated, and afterwards Fort Siloso was also surrendered. This was England's greatest military loss in the history of her Empire. In the subsequent years of World War II, from 1942 to 1945, the fort of Siloso was turned into a prisoner of war camp. According to the military archives, every third captive soldier was killed here due to the cruel treatment of the Japanese.
Already in 1967, Sentosa Island became part of the state of Singapore. And in 15 years the ancient fortress was restored and opened to visit first its own citizens, and a little later and for all tourists. In the forte, besides the command post and the bomb shelter, there were also barracks of soldiers, a canteen and a laundry, weapons warehouses, underground communications connecting all objects.
Fort Silos is not only interesting as a participant in the heavy military events of the 20th century, but it is connected with other military demarches that took place on its territory. In the forte, weapons are exhibited from the 17th century to the end of the Second World War. Throughout the perimeter and territory of the fortress, wax dummies of soldiers and officers of the British army are properly placed to recreate the real conditions of life in the military fort. From 1989 to 1993, the forte contained a political prisoner Chia Tai Po.
Today Fort Silos in Singapore is protected as a memorial and is very important for Singaporeans as a memory, holy place and military legacy of ancestors. It stores the largest number of historical items in Singapore since the Second World War. On the territory of the fort are collected dioramas, in details reflecting the conditions of the war of that time. In addition, in one of the premises opened an exhibition of many photographs and documents for the period 1939-1945.
How to get there?
On the territory of the fort, a group of tourists carries a military bus, guided tours are held. Adult ticket costs 12 Singapore dollars, children - 9. Visiting time from nine in the morning until six in the evening every day. By prior order, you can organize a game of paintball, the price of the issue - 20-45 SGD.
A free tram runs along the island of Sentosa to the fort. And on the island of Sentosa from Singapore you can get:
- on the cable car from 9 am to 10 pm, which originates at Mount Faber Station in the heart of Singapore;
- on a monorail from the VivoCity shopping center from 7am to midnight;
- by public transport , for example, on a city bus by any route from No. 10, 30, 65, 80, 93, 188, 855, 97, 100, 131, 143, 145, 166;
- on foot, by taxi and on a rented car .
The island has many attractions for tourists, especially it will be interesting for families with children . So, here is a huge complex Resorts World Sentosa, which also includes, in addition to numerous cafes where you can eat cheap , and a casino, the world's largest oceanarium "Marine Life" and the amusement park Universal Studios .
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