This Spring, embark on a journey through Türkiye’s rich heritage, the land where wild tulips are originated from! Returning to the centrestage of Flower Dome at Gardens by the Bay is the 11th edition of Tulipmania and it is presented in collaboration with the Embassy of Türkiye.
This year’s Tulipmania display features 65,000 tulips of more than 30 varieties of tulips. These flowers are set against the backdrop of Türkiye’s historical wonders such as a 6m-tall Trojan Horse, the ancient ruins of Göbekli Tepe, and enchanting Mardin Houses.
Why Türkiye?
Both tulips and the recreations of the historical icons have roots that can be traced back to the rich landscape of Türkiye.
Tulips were first discovered along mountainous regions of Central Asia, and later rose to prominence during the Ottoman Empire, where they evolved into a symbol of affluence. The tulip varieties, which can be traced back to Türkiye, often stand out with their distinctive pointed petals and vibrant, contrasting colours.
This year’s Tulipmania showcases three such varieties which includes Tulipa acuminata, Tulipa ‘Go Go Red’ and Tulipa ‘Fly Away’.
Tulipa acuminata (or the Istanbul tulip)
Tulipa acuminata (or the Istanbul tulip) is a centuries-old cultivar from Türkiye, known for its six slender, dagger-like scarlet and yellow tepals, evoking the appearance of flickering flames. They are cultivated since the Ottoman Empire (1299–1923).
Tulipa ‘Go Go Red’
These tulips are notable for its slim, pointy petals in a striking red that emerge from a bright yellow centre
Tulipa ‘Fly Away’
These are goblet-shaped flowers of pointed petals that are red but tinged with a yellow margin.
The tulip palette is complemented by a variety of colourful blooms native to Türkiye, including hyacinths, fritillaria, hollyhocks and alliums, alongside chamomiles and dianthus.
Historical iconic creations in Türkiye
Trojan Horse
The recreation of the famed Trojan Horse (nearly 6-metre tall) tells the story of the clever ruse that led to the fall of the ancient city of Troy, which lies in modern-day Türkiye. According to legend, Greek soldiers hid inside the wooden horse to infiltrate the city. It marks a pivotal moment that turned the tides in the Battle of Troy in their favour. Adjacent to the Trojan Horse is a battleship that carried more soldiers to Troy.
Göbekli Tepe
Göbekli Tepe is the world’s oldest known temple and one of the most significant archaeological discoveries of the late 20th century. This UNESCO World Heritage Site dates to around 9,600 BC, predating Stonehenge by some 6,000 years.
It caused a global sensation when it was unearthed in the late 20th century and is considered one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of that period. The site features over 200 massive stone pillars arranged in both circular and rectangular formations, crafted by prehistoric people without the use of metal tools or pottery.
Mardin Houses
These well-preserved houses on the mountainside in Mardin are one of Türkiye’s most breathtaking destinations. They are known for their beige limestone construction.
They date back to 8,000 BC where the architecture of these beige limestone homes is ingenious, as no house blocks the view of another. They built to withstand the challenging climate. These homes feature walls up to 4m-wide with almost no windows.
Mosaic art
Mosaic art traces its origins to ancient Mesopotamia around 3000 BCE. Early mosaics discovered in temple sites used materials such as coloured stones, shells, and ivory, arranged into simple decorative patterns.
The Mosaic art pieces displayed at the Flower Dome (shown above) were done by a group of students from Chua Chu Kang Secondary School’s art club. This traditional Turkish art of mosaic making requires them to cut up glass into smaller fragments and carefully piece them together to form designs of Ottoman tulips and other floral motifs. Their three beautiful mosaic artworks will be on display throughout the duration of Tulipmania.
Workshops
You can also participate in Ebru art workshops, where you can learn the traditional art of paper marbling by one of Turkiye’s finest Ebru masters on April 18 and April 19. There are also other craft workshops like Enchanting Tulip Lamp (April 19 & 20) and Tulip Mosiac Art (April 26 & 27) conducted at the Australian Garden in the Flower Dome.
In addition, there is also an opportunity for visitors to win a pair of return air tickets from Singapore to any destination in Türkiye,sponsored by official airline partner Turkish Airlines.
Snap & Win A Pair of Return Air Tickets to Türkiye!
Stand a chance to win a pair of economy-class return ticket to Türkiye, departing from Singapore and see these wonders in person.
How to participate:
(1) Visit Tulipmania in Flower Dome between 17 April and 12 May 2025 and capture your best photoor video of the floral display.
(2) Post the photo or video taken during your visit to Tulipmania on your Instagram account.
(3) Tag @gardensbythebay and include the hashtags: #gardensbythebay #TulipmaniaGBB #TurkishAirlines #TurkishAirlinesHolidays in your post.
(4) Set your Instagram account to public for your entry to be seen.
*Terms and conditions apply. Visit www.gardensbythebay.com.sg/tulipmania for more information.
Tulipmania
Date: 17 April to 12 May 2025
Time: 9.00am to 9.00pm
Details: Admission charge to Flower Dome applies
Singapore residents – $12 (adult), $8 (child/senior)
Get your e-tickets via Fever.
