The Padang is said to be the site where the name ‘Singapore’ was first bestowed to the island. Before this, the island was named ‘Temasek’ which roughly translates into ‘sea town’. The Malay Annals is the only known document to share the story of Singapore’s naming. In 1299 a Palembang Prince, named Sang Nila Utama, was hunting on a neighbouring island when he gazed over the sea and spotted Temasek. Intrigued, he gathered his advisors and sailed to the island. While hunting on the island, the Prince came across a great beast, which an advisor informed him was a lion. The prince decided the island should be named ‘Singa Pura’ meaning ‘Lion City’ and he would rule it as king. Interestingly enough, lions are not native to Singapore!