The Dutch seat of administration, the Stadthuys
Facing Melaka's town square, the long building called the Stadthuys was the imposing seat of the Dutch administration. Construction was started when the Dutch took possession of Melaka in 1641, making it the oldest surviving Dutch building in the East. The building stands on the foundations of the old Portuguese fortifications.
The building was completely restored and now houses the History & Ethnography Museum displaying many interesting artifacts from Melaka's 600 year history. Along the base of the Stadthuys facing the town square are several souvenir stalls.