Seri Menanti Royal Museum

The Glory of Heritage, the Uniqueness of Malay Craftsmanship

Located in Seri Menanti, Kuala Pilah, the Royal Museum of the Old Seri Menanti Palace is a historical and cultural landmark that must be visited in Negeri Sembilan. Built in 1902 and completed in 1908, this palace once served as the official residence of the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan.

Even more impressive, the four-storey structure was constructed without using a single metal nail – instead, it was built entirely using traditional wooden joinery techniques, showcasing the finesse of old Malay craftsmanship. It was designed by two skilled Minangkabau craftsmen, Kahar and Taib, under the order of Tuanku Muhammad ibni Tuanku Antah, the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan at the time.

Today, the palace has been gazetted as the Royal Museum, displaying a wide collection of royal artifacts, historical documents, ceremonial attire, and introducing visitors to the *Adat Perpatih*—the matrilineal custom that forms the foundation of Negeri Sembilan’s governance system.