22-9-2023 (SINGAPORE) The iconic Merlion statue at Merlion Park in the Marina Bay area will undergo repair works from September 25 to December 13. During this period, the statue will be concealed with scaffolding and unavailable for photo opportunities, as announced by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) on Friday.
While the main Merlion statue will be under maintenance, visitors are encouraged to take photos with the nearby Merlion cub statue at the same location, STB noted. They also seek the understanding of the public, acknowledging that the maintenance works and barricades may cause some inconvenience during this period.
This year, maintenance works on the Merlion statue were conducted from July 27 to July 28, typically lasting a few days. The Merlion statue, known for its lion’s head and fish’s body, was crafted by local artisan Lim Nang Seng and was unveiled on September 15, 1972, by then Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew at the mouth of the Singapore River.
In 1997, with the completion of the Esplanade Bridge, the statue became less visible from the waterfront. Consequently, in 2002, it was relocated to Merlion Park, situated in front of the Fullerton Hotel, overlooking Marina Bay. Last year marked the 50th anniversary of the iconic statue.
