Istana Kampong Glam at the Malay Heritage Centre in Kampong Glam.

Istana Kampong Glam (Malay for "Kampong Glam Palace"), also Istana Kampong Gelam, is a former Malay palace in Singapore. It is located near Masjid Sultan in Kampong Glam. The palace and compounds were refurbished into the Malay Heritage Centre in 2004.

History

The original Istana Kampong Glam built by Sultan Hussein Shah of Johor around 1820 is believed to be a wooden structure in the area to the east of Beach Road. When it was completed, it occupied an area twice the size of the present compound, which was reduced in 1824 for the construction of North Bridge Road.

The concrete structure of the Istana which has been restored today, was commissioned by Sultan Hussein's son, Sultan Ali Iskandar Shah of the Johor Riau-Lingga Empire in 1835. It was built on the site of the original between 1836 and 1843.

The new two-storey Istana is believed to be designed by colonial architect George Drumgoole Coleman. Its design is a combination of the Palladian style, which was then popular in England, with traditional Malay motifs. Some of its architectural features are similar to those of other buildings Coleman designed, such as the Old Parliament House and the Armenian Church.

The extensive compund of the Istana was enclosed by a perimeter wall. Small kampong-style houses were built around this perimeter for the Sultan's kin, servants and artisans.

After its completion in 1843, Tengku Allum, Sultan Ali's son lived in it until his death in 1891. He was buried in the royal grave at the Sultan Mosque.

Restoration

The Istana Kampong Glam has been faithfully restored according to Coleman's design with special emphasis on its setting, retaining the compound, its walled enclosure and the road leading to the building. Timber and cement were used to replicate the interior flooring of the former building.

See also

References