Memebers of the public not only can stroll through the Istana grounds during the open house on this Labour Day they will also get to view a display of selected gifts presented by foreign dignitaries to the President and the Prime Minister.
For an entrance fee of $2, they can tour some of the function rooms in the Istana building to view the gifts, said a Government statement on Monday.
The Istana grounds will be open to the public on Friday from 8.30am to 6 pm.
Admission to the Istana grounds is free for Singaporeans and permanent residents. Others visitors will have to to pay $1 each to enter.
Entrance to the grounds is via the main gate at Orchard Road. Sale of tickets for the to the Istana building will close at 5.30pm.
Istana souvenirs will be sold during the Open House. Proceeds from the sale of souvenirs and all entrance fees collected will be donated to the Community Chest.
The Istana, spread over 100 acres of sprawling land, along bustling Orchard Road, is the official residence of President SR Nathan.
The Istana building was built by the British Colonial government to house its governors. Completed in 1869, it was then known as the Government House.
The building was handed over to the Singapore Government when the Republic attained internal self government in 1959, and renamed Istana ('Palace' in Malay).
The Istana building underwent extensive renovation between 1996 and 1998, to add more space and modern day conveniences. The building today has six function rooms used for ceremonies and to receive guests.
President Nathan will appear around 4pm in the evening...
For more information on the Istana, please visit http://www.istana.gov.sg
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