Overview

Ornate cornices, elegant louvered shutters, Corinthian pillars and deep verandas come together beautifully in the neo-Palladian, Anglo-Indian Istana. Built in 1869 on a land area of more than 100 acres, this was the official residence of Singapore's British Governors and today, the President of Singapore. What used to be a nutmeg plantation, now accommodates a nine-hole golf course and Sri Temasek, the official residence of the Prime Minister. The Istana is only open to the public on five public holidays. A changing-of-guard ceremony takes place at 6p on the first Sunday of every month, and can be viewed from Istana Park across Orchard Road.