To the south of mainland Singapore, the island of Sentosa sits proudly as a multifaceted leisure destination and a popular respite from the hustle and bustle of the city. But the sandy beaches, hotels, theme parks and attractions belie a long and rich heritage that is waiting to be explored.
Featuring 30 heritage sites – including the recently gazetted National Monument Fort Siloso – and supplemented by 10 heritage trail markers, the new Sentosa Heritage Trail, developed by the National Heritage Board (NHB) in partnership with Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC), traces the transformation of the island from a military complex to a leisure destination, uncovers stories of the communities who once lived there, and sheds light on the story of modern Sentosa’s reinvention.
These trail markers are augmented by another 20 existing interpretive signs to enrich guests’ knowledge of Sentosa’s history.
Existing in records dating back to the 1600s as Pulau Blakang Mati – which translates to “Death from the Back Island” in Malay – the island was home to various coastal communities such as the Orang Laut and other regional groups, and was also coveted by colonial powers due to its strategic location on the much-used straits of Singapore.
During World War II (WWII), the construction of Fort Siloso, Fort Serapong and other military facilities marked the island as an important base for military activity, and some remnants of its wartime past remain hidden in plain sight.
