The 6 Oldest Buildings and Structures in Singapore - Top 6 Heritage Edifices in Singapore

Dating back to 1827, the Arts House, in spite of its name, is the former parliament building in Singapore. Also called the Old Parliament House, it is by far the most ancient government structure on the island. The brainchild of John Argyle Maxwell, a merchant of Scottish descent, the building first served as his residence prior to being converted to the governing seat of the colonial government in Singapore. Having gone through countless renovations, the building was extended first in 1875, then once more in 1901 before its final refurbishment in 1909. The Victorian-style structure with Palladian leanings was the House of Parliament from 1959 to 1999 when the building was declared a national monument. The venue was converted into performing arts and visual art hub in 2004.

Although the Masjid Omar Kampong Melaka was a simple wooden assembly hall in 1820, when it was first constructed, the locale is now the oldest mosque in all of Singapore. As the country's very first religious institution, the Masjid Omar Kampong Melaka holds a special place in the spiritual history of Singapore. Commissioned by an Arab businessman named Syed Omar Aljunied, the venue was entered into the list of historic sites by the National Heritage Board in 2001.

Occupying pride of place down Empress Palace, the Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall is a building that was constructed as early as 1862. As one of Central Singapore's top performing arts centres, the compound boasts two buildings as well as a clock tower that's connected with a corridor. The building was declared open to the public in 1909 and has undergone renovations over the years while the uses for the Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall have also evolved. The Singapore Symphony Orchestra considers the venue its home and the building was declared a national monument in 1992.

Also called the Temple of Heavenly Happiness, the Thian Hock Keng Temple was built from 1821 to 1822. Having been a small joss house initially, the temple grew to become a temple devoted to Ma Cho Po, a Chinese deity of the Taoist tradition who is the patron deity of seafarers. Visitors based at PARKROYAL on Beach Road, Singapore or any other Singapore Beach Road hotel can pay homage to this ancient temple, which is home to a sculpture of Ma Cho Po.

In the heart of Chinatown lies the oldest and largest Hindu temple in the country. With its roots going back to 1827, Sri Mariamman Temple was constructed by the first Indian immigrant to live in colonial Singapore.

This temple, devoted to the worship of the goddess Kali, was built in 1855 and is the pride of Little India. Bengali immigrants are credited with building this resplendent place of worship with its iconic black sculpture of Kali and her two sons.