Kellie's Castle, Perak
Yes, i've heard about the scary stories surrounding this historical building. But it was the love story- of passion and ambition, that repelled my fear and pulled me to the castle.
It is very easy to find Kellie's Castle. From KL, exit at Gopeng toll station, drive towards Ipoh and turn left at the junction that leads to Batu Gajah. The castle is situated along the main road. Opens at 9 am to 6 pm everyday, the fees are generally RM 3 per adult and RM 1 per child. This unfinished, ruined castle was built by William Kellie Smith, a Scottish planter, in 1915.
There are two parts in Kellie's Castle today: Smith's first mansion, Kellie House and the incomplete Castle. Like the Taj Mahal, i see this castle, among many references, as a gift of Kellie to his wife, Agnes Smith and a home for his family after the arrival of their second child, son Anthony (first child, daughter Helen). Kellie was fascinated with the Hindu religion and Indian culture that the architecture of the castle included those of Madras- the bricks and tiles were imported from India. It is also a wonderment that Kellie's Castle was to feature the first elevator in Malaya upon completion and has two tunnels that run under the river nearby.
Sadly, the construction of Kellie's Castle faced difficulties. Spanish flu infected Smith's workers (a Hindu temple was advised to be built to appease the gods, construction resumed), Smith died of pneumonia and his wife later sold the estate.
A touching story in the heart of Perak.
I visited Kellie's Castle in the afternoon. There were other visitors entering the premise- an indication that people still come to visit Kellie's Castle. From afar, the Castle impressed me especially the colour of the building and its design. Crossing over the bridge towards the Castle, i told myself: i am finally here, after three years, studying at a university close by. I came to Kellie's Castle once when i was young. This refreshed my memory, to say the least.
We first entered the Kellie House. There are signs pasted on the walls of the building to provide information about the room. There are many rooms in the House and the Castle- i could imagine myself getting lost in the ruins.
The kitchen. This is an oven made of bricks over 100 years.
The bathroom with marble tiles important from Italy.
View of the House.
It is very easy to find Kellie's Castle. From KL, exit at Gopeng toll station, drive towards Ipoh and turn left at the junction that leads to Batu Gajah. The castle is situated along the main road. Opens at 9 am to 6 pm everyday, the fees are generally RM 3 per adult and RM 1 per child. This unfinished, ruined castle was built by William Kellie Smith, a Scottish planter, in 1915.
There are two parts in Kellie's Castle today: Smith's first mansion, Kellie House and the incomplete Castle. Like the Taj Mahal, i see this castle, among many references, as a gift of Kellie to his wife, Agnes Smith and a home for his family after the arrival of their second child, son Anthony (first child, daughter Helen). Kellie was fascinated with the Hindu religion and Indian culture that the architecture of the castle included those of Madras- the bricks and tiles were imported from India. It is also a wonderment that Kellie's Castle was to feature the first elevator in Malaya upon completion and has two tunnels that run under the river nearby.
Sadly, the construction of Kellie's Castle faced difficulties. Spanish flu infected Smith's workers (a Hindu temple was advised to be built to appease the gods, construction resumed), Smith died of pneumonia and his wife later sold the estate.
A touching story in the heart of Perak.
I visited Kellie's Castle in the afternoon. There were other visitors entering the premise- an indication that people still come to visit Kellie's Castle. From afar, the Castle impressed me especially the colour of the building and its design. Crossing over the bridge towards the Castle, i told myself: i am finally here, after three years, studying at a university close by. I came to Kellie's Castle once when i was young. This refreshed my memory, to say the least.
We first entered the Kellie House. There are signs pasted on the walls of the building to provide information about the room. There are many rooms in the House and the Castle- i could imagine myself getting lost in the ruins.
The kitchen. This is an oven made of bricks over 100 years.
The bathroom with marble tiles important from Italy.
View of the House.
We stepped foot onto the Castle next, moving from room to room, climbing flights of stairs so narrow that it fits only one person at a time, and floor to floor to the rooftop.
View of the back of the Castle from the House.
The second floor corridor. It is said that Smith's spirit roams these corridors as seen at night. After admiring the intricacy of wall carvings, along with the bats, we climbed to the rooftop.
At the rooftop. Here is where Smith planned to build an indoor tennis court and for parties to be held- it was a hub for entertaining wealthy colonial planters who settled in Malaya. Interesting, and pretty cool, isn't it? It is high enough to keep you off the edge.
View of the back of the Castle from the House.
The second floor corridor. It is said that Smith's spirit roams these corridors as seen at night. After admiring the intricacy of wall carvings, along with the bats, we climbed to the rooftop.
At the rooftop. Here is where Smith planned to build an indoor tennis court and for parties to be held- it was a hub for entertaining wealthy colonial planters who settled in Malaya. Interesting, and pretty cool, isn't it? It is high enough to keep you off the edge.
From the top, we went to the bottom- to the cellar and the said entrance of an underground tunnel. The cellar was dark. Afterward, we exited the Castle through the side, passed the Guard house and the stable- Smith was said to be a fan of horses.
We left the premise not long after this last shot was taken. Kellie's Castle also provides a great setting for photography- pictures courtesy of YH.
In short, i enjoyed my visit to Kellie's Castle. It may not be much, but both the House and the Castle have something to offer. I can't find the right word for it.
Touched, may be, by a castle and its story here in my home.
We left the premise not long after this last shot was taken. Kellie's Castle also provides a great setting for photography- pictures courtesy of YH.
In short, i enjoyed my visit to Kellie's Castle. It may not be much, but both the House and the Castle have something to offer. I can't find the right word for it.
Touched, may be, by a castle and its story here in my home.
Comments
Post a Comment