Istana Kenangan, or the Palace of Dreams Once the residence of the Perak royal family, the well-preserved palace served as a venue for royal ceremonies. Also used for funeral preparations, it was known as Istana Mayat (Palace of the Deceased). It was later renamed Istana Kenangan (Palace of Memories) by First Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman, and has been housing the Perak Royal Museum since 1986. The architecture of Istana Kenangan is the epitome of traditional Malay craftsmanship. The wooden building was built with iron nails, while the walls are woven with wicker wood and embellished with immaculate carvings. The palace has a unique shape that resembles a sword in its sheath.