Introduction

The Malacca Sultanate Palace is actually a replica of the structure which was built by the already extinct sultanate of Malacca. The sultanate of Malacca was the ruler of the city before the arrival of the Portuguese in the 1500s. The plan of the palace was based on the Malay Annals' account of Sultan Mansur Shah's palace. Sultan Mansur Shah was the nobleman who ruled Malacca from 1456 to 1477. The Malacca Sultanate Palace is one of its kind in Malaysia as it offers a rare glimpse of the ancient Malay kingdom which once flourished in Malacca.

Today, the palace is the home of the Cultural Museum which celebrates the Malay side of the Malacca's history. The museum showcases more than 1300 items of Malacca's past. There items include photographs, weaponry, drawings, musical instruments and gifts from foreign emissaries. All these items are displayed in eight different chambers and in three galleries on the three floors of the palace. Admission into the palace is RM 10 for Malaysian Adult, RM20 for Foreign Adult, RM5 for Malaysian Child and RM1O for Foreign Child. It is closed on Mondays and opens on Tuesdays to Sundays from 9am to 5:30pm with last admission at 4:30pm. 

Jln Kota, Bandar Hilir, 75000 Melaka

Malacca, once called “the Venice of the East,” was a busy trading hub where merchants from places like Arabia, Persia, China, India, and Europe came to do business. The city had strong leadership, good laws (Hukum Kanun Melaka), and a rich culture of arts and poetry.

However, Malacca fell to European powers in 1511, starting with the Portuguese, then the Dutch and English. Despite this, Malacca’s long and varied history has made it a popular tourist destination today.

The Melaka Sultanate Palace Museum, built in 1984, is a replica of the original palace from the time of Sultan Mansur Syah (1456–1477). The design of the palace was based on old records in the Malay Annals. The museum is made from two types of hardwood—chengal and rasak—with a roof made of belian wood. Interestingly, it’s held together by wooden pegs, not nails.

The original palace, called the Istana, stood on St. Paul’s Hill. It had a large, multi-tiered roof and wide frontage. On sunny days, its red roof tiles would shine brightly. Chinese mirrors decorated its walls, reflecting the influence of different cultures in Malacca.

A famous story in the Malay Annals tells of Sultan Mansur Syah’s grief after the death of Hang Jebat, a brave warrior, near the palace. Saddened by the loss, the sultan ordered the destruction of the palace and then built a new, more beautiful one called Mahligai in its place.

Today, Malacca’s rich history, including these tales, continues to attract visitors interested in exploring its cultural heritage.

Three Levels and Eight Chambers: The museum spans three levels, divided into eight chambers displaying various artifacts.

Artifacts on Display: The museum showcases weaponry, jewelry, traditional attire, ceremonial items and other relucs that provide insight into the cultural and political life of the time. 

Diodramas of Traders: The entrace hallway features dioramas of traders from different regions (e.g., Arabic, Chinese) who conducted business with Malacca.

Local Legend Exhibition: The museum has three galleries depicting local legends, including Hang Tuah, Hang Jebat and Tun Kudu, a noblewoman of the era.

Cultural Insights: The displays provide a deeper understanding of the region's cultural heritage and the history of the Malacca Sultanate.