A yellow palace
The Malay royal colour.
The palace of Pontianak's Alkadrie sultans, built by the city's founder Syarif Abdurrahman Alkadrie in the late eighteenth century near the Jami' Mosque and enlarged by his successors. It is a large wooden building on stilts, painted yellow, the royal colour among the Malays, with broad verandas and a style blending Malay and European. Inside are the sultan's throne, portraits of the successive sultans and family treasures: weapons, vessels and clothing, and a famous old mirror said to come from France. The family still uses the palace for ceremonies and traditional rites. The fee is a token one or a donation, and shoes come off. The palace is small and needs under an hour. Combine it with the neighbouring Jami' Mosque in one visit, arriving across the river by small boat, then wander the Beting quarter over the water.
The Malay royal colour.
And family treasures.
Sultans of Hadrami origin.
Dalam Kaum, near the Jami' Mosque, Pontianak
It is symbolic today, without political power, but the family still holds the title and holds traditional ceremonies at the palace.
