The Kadriah Palace

The Kadriah Palace in West Kalimantan

The establishment of Pontianak City cannot be separated from the early history of the Kadriah Palace that was built by Sayyid Abdurrahman Alkadri (1728-1808 A.D.). He was well-known as the first Sultan of the Kadriah Sultanate who wandered to many regions in Malay Archipelago to carry on the international commerce purposes.

His father, Habib Husein Alkadri (1770 A.D.), was a sultanate religious judge and a prominent Islamic scholars. He decided to look for a new settlement after the death of his father. On his journey, they met an entourage of pirate in Batu Layang but, they could defeated the pirate. On October 23rd 1771 A.D. (Rajab 24th 1181 H), the entourage of Habib Husein Alkadri arrived at a confluence of three rivers (the Landak River, the Kecil Kapuas River, and the Kapuas River) then decided to dwell there.

Historically, the Kadriah Palace was built in 1771 A.D. then finished in 1778 A.D., with the first sultan of the Pontianak Sultanate was Sayyid Syarif Abdurrahman Alkadri. During its development, the palace underwent some renovations and reconstructions. Noted that the most frequent renovations were during the tenure of Sultan Syarif Muhamad Alkadri. At present, Sultan Sayyid Abubakar Alkadri titled Pangeran Mas Perdana Agung, is the ninth Sultan of the Pontianak Sultanate.

This 60 x 25 meters square palace is made of the best choice of belian woods for the front part of the palace. The surrounding park is full green grass which is neatly organized and clean. Thirteen archaic cannons made of Portugal and France surround of the palace.

There is a room in the front part of the building called Anjungan that was used by the Sultan to rest and to watch the panoramic view of the Kapuas River and the Landak River. The Anjungan and the terrace of the palace are connected by a ladder in the right side of the Anjungan.  An emergency alarm called genta is also located there, in the front part of the building.

A crown and three symbols of moon and stars are located above the front main door of the palace symbolizing the Islamic Sultanate of Pontianak. Its hall, which is commonly called Balairung, is dominated by yellow color depicting – based on Malay people – authority and high sincerity. Religious ceremony and welcoming honoured guest are usually conducted in this room. Some of the sultanate`s properties such as the photographs of the Pontianak Sultanate, fully-decorated lamps and the throne of the Sultan and his consort can be found there as well as in the innermost room of the palace.

The left and the right side of the hall or Balairung are six 4 x 3,5 meters square rooms which one of them is the bedroom of the Sultan. The other rooms are dinning room and toilet.

Around 200 meters western direction of the palace, you can find the Great Mosque of Sultan Abdurrahman. The mosque was built by the first sultan of the Pontianak Sultanate, Sultan Syarif Abdurrahman Alkadri.

The Kadriah Palace Location

The Kadriah Palace is located in Beting, Dalam Bugis Village, Pontianak Sub-district, Pontianak City, West Kalimantan Province, Indonesia. Regarding the location of the Kadriah Palace that is in the center of Pontianak City, you can reach the location via water transportation and land transportation. Accessing the Kadriah Palace via water transportation can be started from Senghie Harbour. However, accessing via land transportation, you can take any public transportation passing by the bidge of the Kapuas River. Around the Kadriah Palace, you can easily find floating restaurants, food stalls, souvernir shops, and boat/speedboat rentals.