The Stadthuys, Melaka

1 more image

The Stadthuys was the official residence of the Dutch Governor, built in 1650. It nowadays houses the Historical Museum and Ethnographical Museum.
Working hours 09.00 - 17.30 every day except for the Friday's prayers from 12.15 to 14.45.

The entrance to the steps up to St Paul's Hill is here at the town square - to the right of the picture. Dutch Square is unique as the buildings are a lovely port-red colour and have solid doors and louvred windows as was common Dutch architecture of the time. It is a central meeting spot and popular for postcard pictures.

I liked the clock tower. I was interested to learn that the clock tower was not built with the original buildings here in 1650. The original buildings housed the Dutch Government at the time. The clock was imported from England in 1886. After a while the clock died and was replaced by Seiko in 1982 and is still ticking merrily away today :o)

4 more images

The Museum of History and Ethnography is arguably the best museum in Malacca. It is located within the Stadthuys, at the foot of St Paul's Hill facing the Dutch Square. If you have time to see only one museum on your visit, this is the one you should not miss. It is in this museum that the history of Malacca is unfolded for you step by step, beginning with the establishment of Malacca, the Malacca Sultanate, the Portuguese, Dutch and British occupation, the Japanese occupation, and finally the years leading towards independence. It provides an interesting glimpse into the history of the various ethnic groups that make up the fabric of Malacca society, including the Malays, Chinese, Indians, Peranakan, Chitty and Eurasians. Various aspects of each culture is portrayed including wedding ceremonies, musical instruments, and so on.

Open: 9am-5.30pm. Admission: RM5.

3 more images

The Stadthuys, which means Municipal Town Hall in Dutch, is the biggest, most prominent building in the Malacca Town Square, and it is also the oldest and biggest Dutch colonial building in Southeast Asia. Construction of it began around 1641, the year the Dutch pried Malacca from the Portuguese, who ruled since the fall of the Malacca Sultanate in 1511. It covers 49,000 square feet. It took close to twenty years to complete with building material imported from the Netherlands. Throughout the Dutch Administration until 1824, the Stadthuys served as the civic centre of the town plus it housed the Dutch governor and his numerous aides. When the British took over Malacca, they continued to use it as a civic centre. After Independence, the Malaysian government also used it as the State Governing Center until 1979. Since then, it was converted into the Ethnography Museum which is well worth a visit (see next tip).

2 more images

I really enjoyed wandering around the Stadthuys. I didn't know what to expect and this was about my 3rd museum of the day.

Believed to be the oldest Dutch building in the East, it was built shortly after Malacca was captured by the Dutch in 1641.

There is an extensive History & Ethnography Museum, Governor Museum, Admiral Cheng Ho Gallery, Democratic Rule Museum and the Literature Museum all within the compound.

Opening Hours: 09:00 – 17:30 Saturday – Thursday and 09:00 – 12.15; 14:45 – 17:30 Friday

The Stadthuys ( Old Dutch for City Hall ) was built in 1650 as the official residence for the Dutch Governors. It's a good example of the Dutch architecture 350 years ago. Inside you will find a museum with relics from Melaka's past. Outside the Stadthuys on the Dutch Square you will find small souvenier shops for the tourists. All the shops sell the same rubbish as there neighbours.

1 more image

Dutch square is the heart of town centre. Built in 1650 as the official residence of Dutch Governors and Deputy Governors and believed to be the oldest Dutch building in the East, The colour of the red brick is extends to the other buildings around the Town Square and the old clock tower.

Its now houses the History and Ethnography Museum. On display daily are fine traditional bridal costumes and relics from Melaka's glorious past which will take a couple of hours to read your way through the detailed explanations of Melaka's past.

Admission to both these museums is included in the admission price to the Stadthuys.Tel: +606 282 6526

Stadthuys Museum Complex

• History and Ethnography Museum
• Literature Museum
• Admiral Cheng Ho's Gallery
• The Governor's Museum
• The Museum of Government Democracy

Opening Hours:
9.00am to 6.00pm (Sat-Thu)
9.00am to 12.15pm & 2.45pm to 6.00pm (Fri)

Ticket Prices: Adult: RM 5.00 Children: RM 2.00

The Stadthuys is located in the Dutch Square and it was built in 1650. It is a typical Dutch building with a clock tower. It was once an official home to the Dutch Governors and has been preserved in its original Dutch architectural form. It is also a historic museum and houses some interesting display of traditional bridal costumes and relics, and others.