THE STADTHUYS OF MALACCA

The Stadthuys is believed to be the oldest-surviving Dutch building in the East. Part of Malacca town square’s prominent Dutch colonial architecture it is a massive bright terracotta-red riverfront building that was once the official residence of Dutch governors and officers.

Built between 1641 and 1660 on the ruins of a Portuguese fort, The Stadthuys of Malacca was the focus point of several successive governments (Dutch, Portuguese, British etc.) for over 300 years, from its completion until 1980. In 1982, Stadthuys was converted into a museum. The Stadthuys displays typical features of Dutch colonial architecture with massive walls, louvred windows and chunky doors with wrought-iron hinges.

The renovated main building houses the Museum of History & Ethnography which showcases Malaccan customs and traditions as well as the city’s rich history, from the great Malay Sultanate to the Portuguese, Dutch and British occupations.

Meanwhile, just behind the Stadthuys is the Museum of Literature where historical accounts and local legends are detailed in maps, prints and photographs. One admission ticket allows visitors entrance to both exhibits.

Just southwest of the Stadthuys on the river, is the Flor de Mar, a half-size replica of the galley that the viceroy of Portuguese arrived in. Also nearby the Stadthuys is the Tang Beng Swee Clocktower: built in 1886, it was constructed by a wealthy Straits Chinese family but looks distinctly Dutch.