Rediscovering Novena: A City Walk Through Streets and Modern Vibes

The last time I visited the Novena area was when the Church of Saint Alphonsus, commonly known as the "Novena Church," was completed. That was about seven years ago. This area isn't typically a place where locals or tourists go to hang out, so it feels like the only reason I would visit is to see the church. Although there are shopping malls in the area, they aren't good enough for me to visit on a Sunday.

That being said, there are times when I feel like doing something different. Typically, if the weather is nice, I spend my Sundays visiting nature parks because they are relaxing. In fact, last Sunday morning, I went to MacRitchie Reservoir to trek the Lornie Trail. It was a pleasant experience as the place is clean and peaceful. However, later in the afternoon, I felt bored, so I decided to head into the city for a walk and chose to visit the Novena area.

I took the MRT to Novena. The MRT station is located beneath the Velocity mall, so as soon as I exited the station and took the escalator up, I found myself in the mall’s main hall. It has an interesting design that makes it feel as though I’m inside a hot-air balloon.

Nowadays, shopping malls are transforming into spaces that offer more than just shopping. They now include activities that promote physical engagement, such as indoor wall climbing. I am amazed by how they have utilized part of this hall and turned it into a wall-climbing facility. Positioned on the topmost level, it gives climbers the thrill of being at a height similar to that of a mountain cliff.

I didn’t spend much time in the mall because my main goal was to visit the church, so I left right away. It took me about a five-minute walk to reach the church. The mass had just ended when I arrived, so there was a large crowd moving in the opposite direction as I made my way in.

After a few minutes of waiting at the church entrance, I was finally able to climb the stairs leading up to it. I was amazed by the church’s design, which is inspired by the Gothic cathedrals of Europe. Although the materials are made of precast cement, they are molded to emulate the traditional ornamental details of Gothic architecture.

While exploring the surroundings of the church, I realized that it’s more than just a place where people go to attend mass. It has become a spot where people meet friends, have conversations, and take photos. There is an open space next to the church with plenty of benches for people to relax and hang out. I must say, as I stood in this open space and gazed toward the cityscape, the unobstructed view of the sky was quite beautiful.

After visiting the church and admiring the open space beside it, I decided to continue my walk. I used to enjoy night city walks but eventually lost the motivation for them until I started posting here on Hive. Communities like Worldmappin have given me the inspiration to rediscover my passion for walking and photography.

Let me share with you the photos I captured, from the church to the various parts of Novena district where my walk took me.

Thank you for joining me on this journey through the sights and experiences of my city walk. I hope my exploration inspires you to find joy in discovering the hidden gems around you. Until next time, keep exploring and capturing life's moments!