Trojan Horse trots into Flower Dome for Tulipmania 2025
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SINGAPORE – The Trojan Horse has trotted into the flower field of the Flower Dome at Gardens By the Bay.
The 6m-tall re-creation of the legendary wooden structure from the Battle of Troy towers over 65,000 tulips of more than 30 varieties for the upcoming Tulipmania floral display, which is centred on Turkish historical icons and the flowers.
In Greek mythology, the wooden horse was the vessel in which Greek soldiers were smuggled into Troy – in what is modern-day Turkey – that helped turn the tide of the war as the Trojans stubbornly kept their enemies from entering the city during a long siege.
During the set-up of the floral display on the night of April 10, the horse’s body was hoisted by a lorry crane to sit atop its four legs. It was then decorated with tassels and a Turkish carpet was draped over it. It took about 30 people more than 10 days to complete the display.
The horse’s body was hoisted using a crane lorry to sit atop the four legs.
ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI
Beside the horse is a 6m-long ship to symbolise how the Greeks arrived in Troy. Other re-creations for Tulipmania include the Mardin houses, known for their beige limestone walls, and the prehistoric Gobekli Tepe, said to be the world’s oldest temple and one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of the late 20th century.
This year’s Tulipmania is held in partnership with the Turkish Embassy in Singapore.
Tulips were first discovered in the mountainous regions of Central Asia, and later rose to prominence during the Ottoman Empire, when they became a symbol of affluence. The varieties from Turkey have distinctive pointed petals with vibrant, contrasting colours.
The Tulipa Pretty Woman has bright red, goblet-shaped flowers with pointed petals.
ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI
Besides tulips from Turkey, there are others with unusual shapes and colours. For instance, the Tulipa Pretty Woman, from the Netherlands, has bright red, goblet-shaped flowers with pointed petals.
Visitors doing oil paintings of the hollyhocks.
ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI
Also on display are other types of flowers native to Turkey, such as hollyhocks, hyacinths, fritillarias and alliums.
The 11th edition of Tulipmania is on from April 17 to May 12 from 9am to 9pm daily. Admission charges to the Flower Dome apply.
