Stadthuys

The Stadthuys is a historic Dutch colonial building located at Dutch Square in Bandar Hilir, Melaka, Malaysia. Built in 1650 as the official residence of Dutch governors and administrative centre, it is believed to be the oldest surviving Dutch building in the East. Known for its distinctive salmon-red exterior, it now houses the Museum of History and Ethnography and forms part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Melaka.

Visitors can expect a large salmon-red Dutch colonial building complex fronting Dutch Square with louvred windows, heavy wooden doors and thick masonry walls. Inside, the building houses the Museum of History and Ethnography with exhibits on Melaka's history from the Sultanate to colonial periods, traditional costumes, artefacts and dioramas. The surroundings include Christ Church, the clock tower and fountain at Dutch Square, with open plaza areas for sightseeing and photography.

Built in 1650 during Dutch rule as the Stadthuys (city hall) and official residence of Dutch Governors and officers, it served as the administrative centre of Dutch Melaka. It continued as an administrative centre under British rule. It is regarded as the oldest Dutch building in the East and exemplifies Dutch colonial architecture.

A landmark of Dutch colonial heritage and a symbol of Melaka, the Stadthuys is a central component of the Historic City of Melaka UNESCO World Heritage Site. It now functions as the Museum of History and Ethnography, preserving and presenting Melaka's multicultural history and ethnography.