Culture buffs holidaying in the Lion City will find that the island’s heritage sites also include an array of landmark temples, mosques and other places of worship. Here’s a rundown of the main spiritual sites in Singapore.

Sultan Mosque

Occupying pride of place in Kampong Glam, the Sultan Mosque is the oldest Islamic shrine in Singapore. Dating back to 1825, the mosque was constructed by the country’s first sultan. Declared a national monument in the 1970s, the building is a beautiful blend of Islamic and Malay architectural features.

Sri Mariamman Temple

Image by Manfred Reinert from Pixabay

While it may be a religious institution dedicated to the Hindu goddess Mariamman, this towering temple does not occupy Singapore’s South Indian community stronghold, Little India, but is found in Chinatown instead. Constructed in 1827, the kovil is a functioning place of worship that’s a hubbub of activity during the Thaipusam Festival each year.

Thian Hock Keng Temple

Travellers looking for the most rewarding activities to do in Singapore often flock to Chinatown for its delectable food.  However, the area’s iconic Thian Hock Keng Temple is definitely worth a visit as it is one of the oldest and most important temples of the Hokkien community. It is easily accessible to those based at Novotel Singapore on Kitchener and other well-situated hotels.

Maghain Aboth Synagogue

Situated in the Jewish quarter, the Maghain Aboth Synagogue was built in 1878 and is one of only two synagogues on the island.