CHIJMES

A convent reborn as a social landmark. CHIJMES is a historic complex in Singapore's Bras Basah district, built around the former Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus. Its name derives from the convent's initials combined with the word chimes, a nod to the bells of its Gothic chapel. Founded by French Catholic nuns in the mid-nineteenth century, it served for over a century as a school, orphanage and refuge before closing in the 1980s.

Gothic grandeur restored. At the heart of the site stands the former chapel, a soaring neo-Gothic structure with pointed arches, flying detail and a spire, its interior lined with slender columns and imported stained-glass windows. Around it curve the cloistered walkways of the old convent and Caldwell House, an elegant early colonial residence. After deconsecration, the whole ensemble was carefully restored and gazetted as a national monument.

A dining and events destination. Today the courtyards, lawns and colonnades house restaurants, bars and cafes, while the deconsecrated chapel is a sought-after venue for weddings, concerts and functions. The blend of candlelit Gothic architecture and open-air dining has made it one of the most atmospheric gathering spots in the city centre, especially after dark when the facades are illuminated. Landscaped lawns and fountains fill the courtyards between the wings, giving the complex a garden setting rare in the dense city centre.

Visiting. CHIJMES sits beside City Hall and Bras Basah MRT stations, within easy walking distance of Raffles Hotel, the museums of the Civic District and Fort Canning. The grounds are freely accessible, with individual venues keeping their own hours. Come in the evening to appreciate the lighting and the lively courtyard atmosphere, or by day to admire the restored architecture and the quiet cloisters at a gentler pace.