FACTS.................

When the British occupied Singapore in 1819, the forest covering the hill was soon cleared, whereupon many ruins of brick buildings were discovered. One of the larger ruins stood on this terrace. The original structure was vanished but archaeologists have discovered pottery and many 14th century articfacts, a few meters north of this terrace.

The Cupolas are 2 small monuments designed by GD Coleman. He also designed much larger structures with a similar shape. The roof of the Armenian Church of St Gregory the Illuminator at Hill Street once had a dome with such a structure on the top, but it was removed when the church was remodelled in 1854. The Cupolas was propably meant as places to rest and enjoy the peace and quiet of the hill.

TOMB OF KERAMAT ISKANDAR SYAH

Since 1822, this terrace has been popularly regarded as a keramat, an auspicious place to visit, where some people believe that thjey can ask for specific favours. Keramat are often tombs. In 1822, it was claimed that this site is the burial plaaace of Raja Iskandar Syrah. Malay traditions state that the first Malay kind and his chief minister were also buried on Fort Canning Hill.Iskandar Syah was the last of five kings who ruled Singappore during her golden age in the 14th century. Singapore was attcked by an enemy but Iskandar Syah esscaped and founded another kingdom, Melaka (now Malacca). Chinese records report that Iskandar Syah died around 1420, but do not tell us where he was buried.