The Royal Museum of Kuala Kangsar, formerly known by names such as Istana Kenangan, Istana Lembah, and Istana Tepas, was established in 1926 by Malay carpenter Haji Suffian with the assistance of his two sons, Zainal Abidin and Ismail, from Seberang Prai.
The palace was commissioned by the late Sultan Iskandar Shah (Marhum Kadasallah), the 30th Sultan of Perak, as a temporary residence while the construction of Istana Iskandariah was underway. Sultan Iskandar Shah resided in Istana Kenangan from 1931 to 1933. After relocating to Istana Iskandariah, it was designated as the Guest Palace, especially during royal celebrations such as birthdays, the appointment of Perak dignitaries, and other royal ceremonies of Perak Darul Ridzuan.
Istana Kenangan embodies remarkable traditional Malay architecture. Constructed entirely of hardwood, with walls made of woven bamboo strips and a roof of timber planks (belian wood) featuring a five-tiered and banana-shaped eaves, the palace showcases intricate Malay carvings and woven patterns.
The building rests on 60 pillars, measuring approximately 41 meters in length and 11 meters in width. Its shape resembles that of a sheathed sword when viewed from above. The central part of the building houses a throne, while the ground floor serves as the official office. The ground floor is paved with cement and enclosed with lattice screens.
The name Istana Kenangan was bestowed upon the palace in the 1960s after it was renovated through the efforts of the late Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj, the first Prime Minister of Malaysia. Subsequently, Istana Kenangan was occupied by the Perak Royal Family until 1982. Sultan Idris II graciously handed over Istana Kenangan to be managed by the Department of Museums and Antiquities.
In 1986, Istana Kenangan was converted into the Royal Museum of Kuala Kangsar under the administration of the Perak State Government. On November 16, 1986, His Royal Highness Sultan Perak Sultan Azlan Muhibbuddin Shah graciously inaugurated the Royal Museum of Kuala Kangsar, and on March 9, 2009, it was declared a Historical Heritage Site.
Operation hours :-
Tuesday – Sunday : 10.00am – 4.30pm
Friday : 10.00 am – 12.15 pm, 2.45 pm – 4.30 pm
Admission Fee : Free
For more info :-
Tel : 05-776 5500
Address : Bukit Chandan, 33000 Kuala Kangsar, Perak Darul Ridzuan
Location :
If you have any experience at The Royal Museum (Muzium Diraja Kuala Kangsar) please share your thoughts and review in the comment below.
