Stadthuys, A Blend of Colonial History and Myth

17, Jalan Gereja, Bandar Hilir, 75000 Melaka, Malaysia

Colonial-era buildings from the Dutch colonial period

4.1

Introduction

The most popular recreational park in Kuala Lumpur is located in the southwest of the city, surrounded by four hills and offering beautiful natural scenery. The park is built around an artificial lake, with abundant flowers and plants, providing a pleasant view. Inside the park, there are children's playgrounds, jogging tracks, sports fields, and an outdoor theater for the entertainment and relaxation of the citizens. There are also attractions nearby such as Butterfly Park, Deer Park, Bird Park, Orchid Park, and National Monument, where visitors can enjoy the beautiful scenery and experience the charm of nature. The park is built around an artificial lake. The Dutch Red House in Malacca, Malaysia, built in 1650, is one of the oldest Dutch buildings in Southeast Asia. It was once the residence and administrative center of the Dutch governor, then transformed into the administrative center of the British, and now serves as the Malacca Museum, displaying historical artifacts related to the Malacca Dynasty, the Dutch, the British, and the Portuguese. Although the building has Dutch-style brick walls, windows, and doors, the decoration of the bedroom on the top floor is filled with elements of Chinese mythology. The Dutch Red House Museum actually consists of six museums, known as the "Stadthuys Museums Complex". One ticket allows visitors to visit all the museums. The History and Ethnography Museum (Museum Sejarah dan Etnografi) displays artifacts from the Malacca Dynasty period, including knowledge about royalty, currency, navigation, and marriage customs. In addition, there are five smaller museums: the Literary Museum (Museum Sastera), the Zheng He Museum (Galeri Laksamana Cheng Ho), the Democracy Museum (Museum Pemerintahan Demokrasi), the Muslim Museum (Museum T.Y.T), and the Education Museum (Museum Pendidikan).