The Merlion – a symbol of Singapore that became both a disappointment and a source of pride (14 photos + 2 videos)

Have you ever traveled thousands of kilometers for a selfie with a landmark, only to realize it was all for nothing?





If not, meet the Merlion—half-lion, half-fish, the official symbol of Singapore. And one of the world's top three tourist disappointments.



Yes, initially, it was accompanied by Copenhagen's Little Mermaid and Brussels' Manneken Pis. The statue was erected in 1972. Almost immediately, its pump broke. It worked poorly, intermittently, for 30 years. And to see the statue from the front, tourists had to bend over because the bridge blocked their view.





In 2002, the pump was finally repaired. A new pedestrian bridge for viewing was added. And its popularity returned.



Despite its symbolic status, the Merlion is not based on local mythology. It was designed in 1964 by Alec Fraser-Brunner, a member of the souvenir committee and curator of the Van Cleef Aquarium.



The symbol was originally the logo of the Singapore Tourism Board. It represents the city-state of Singapore, the country's history, and its name, which means "lion city."



In 2009, the Merlion was struck by lightning. No one was injured, and the statue was restored within a month. Today, this structure has countless imitators throughout Asia.



Although its water pump still jams from time to time, visitors no longer experience disappointment when visiting this magnificent structure.







[thumb]https://cn22.nevsedoma.com.ua/p/29/2944/138_files/2dd6954c0 e79dd317af90e56583e8b76.webp[/thumb]