Siak Sri Indrapura palace, Royal palace museum in Siak, Riau, Indonesia.
Siak Sri Indrapura palace is a two-storey pale yellow building with a symmetrical facade, flanked by two cylindrical towers with domed tops and thin spires. A balustraded balcony sits above the large arched entrance, and pointed arches line the ground level of the long wings. Six eagle statues crown the roof, and eight cannons stand in the courtyard.
Sultan Syarif Hasyim Abdul Jalil Syarifuddin, the 11th ruler of Siak Sri Indrapura, began building the palace in 1889 and completed it in 1893. Before construction he travelled to the Netherlands and Germany, and some of the furniture was brought from Europe. The site lies in Mempura District, about 120 kilometres downstream on the Siak River from Pekanbaru.
The name Asserayah Hasyimiah honours Sultan Syarif Hasyim, and the palace is also called Istana Matahari Timur, the Eastern Sun Palace. Pillars carry dragon ornaments recalling the white dragon said to have appeared on the Siak River during planning, which became the kingdom's emblem. The Komet, a musical instrument of which only two were reportedly made, still plays works by Beethoven, Mozart and Strauss.
The palace stands in Mempura District, about 120 km downstream on the Siak River from Pekanbaru. The complex covers roughly 32,000 square metres and holds four palaces, so allow time to walk between Istana Siak, Istana Lima, Istana Padjang and Istana Baru. Look for the eight cannons scattered across the courtyard and the small former prison behind the left rear of the main building.
The Komet is a multi-centennial musical instrument said to have been made in only two copies worldwide; it still works and is used to play works by Beethoven, Mozart and Strauss. It belonged to Sultan Syarif Qasyim and his wife.
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