Staircase to heaven

Did you know, tucked away on Mount Sophia, a stairway whispers tales of a vanished paradise? The Staircase to heaven isn’t just steps. It’s a portal to a time when grand mansions dotted Mount Sophia, a world away from the bustling city below. In the early 20th century, Mount Sophia was a prestigious address, crowned by the magnificent Eu Villa. Its view stretched across the developing city, 100 feet below. Imagine elegant bungalows lining Adis and Wilkie Roads, a haven of tranquility. By the 1970s, much of this grandeur had faded, with many buildings falling into disrepair. Yet, the magic lingered. The Staircase to heaven, also known as the “one hundred steps,” offered a shortcut from Handy Road to Plaza Singapura. Ascending these uneven steps, adventurous schoolboys could reach the upper level of Plaza Singapura’s car park. There, Yaohan and the popular Yamaha Music School’s Do Re Mi cafe awaited. Sadly, most of these mansions, including Eu Villa, were demolished in the 1980s and 1990s. In their place rose modern apartment blocks. The original Staircase to heaven, precarious and without railings, is gone too. A reconstructed version exists near the original site. Yet, echoes of the past remain. Former students of Nan Hwa Girls’ School and Methodist Girls School (MGS) recall racing down these very steps. They remember the uneven heights and the lack of railings, a stark contrast to today’s safer replica. They speak of the 100 steps, a number confirmed by later explorers, leading up to their schools on the hill. One former MGS student recalls the view of Eu Villa’s gardens from her classroom window. She remembers how classes were organized, with ‘C’ being the highest and ‘A’ the lowest. These memories, whispered on the wind, keep the spirit of the Staircase to heaven alive.