The Palace Itself

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The Istana Lama Sri Menanti, or Old Palace of Sri Menanti, is the masterpiece of Minangkabau architecture. It was built at the turn of the 20th century to replace an older palace which was burnt down during the Sg. Ujong tin wars.

The five-storey Sri Menanti palace was entirely built of hardwood timber extracted from the forest in Negeri Sembilan. It is all black with a long balcony and wooden pillars carved with intricate gold flower motifs. Best of all, this royal residence was built with neither nail nor screw.

The five-storey Sri Menanti palace was entirely built of hardwood timber extracted from the forest in Negeri Sembilan using neither nail nor screw.

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It was designed by two local craftsmen and carpenters, Tukang Kahar and Tukang Taib. Work began in November 1902 and completed three years later. The Sri Menanti Palace is raised 2 meters off the ground, standing on 99 pillars, to denote 99 warriors of various "luak" or clans.

Between 1908 and 1931, this was the royal residence of the Yang DiPertuan Besar Tuanku Muhammad. He occupied the third floor, while the fourth floor was the royal treasury and repository of royal records. This can only be reached by a steep flight of wooden stairs from the royal chamber.

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This uniqely constructed palace became a tourist attraction after it was turned into a Royal Museum in 1992.