kayes<kayes@pc.jaring.my>

The topmost pic on this page shows Istana Hulu (or sometimes called Istana Kota) in Kuala Kangsar. This former palace of the Sultan of Perak was built in 1903 during the reign of the late Sultan Idris Mursyidul Adzam Shah, who was the 28th Sultan of Perak. The architect of the palace was Capt. Maurice Cameron. The architecture was a fusion of Acehnese, Victorian and Indian. The building has high beams, wide halls, ornate marble floors and winding iron staircases complete with secret hideouts and lookout points.

In 1954 the palace became a school, the Istana Kota National School and later in 1970 it became the Raja Perempuan Mazwin School, named after the wife of the late Sultan Idris Shah.

The palace is now a museum called the Sultan Azlan Shah Gallery.which houses a very interesting collection of the present Sultan's personal effects like those from his schooldays, his sporting days and the days of his most illustirous legal career which culminated his elevation to being the country's Chief Justice and then Lord President. There is a small admission fee charged for visiting this museum and it is well worth it. If you are passing Kuala Kangsar, I suggest you stop by :-) Best wishes, kayes.