The Museum Islam Samudra Pasai offers a profound journey into Indonesia’s earliest Islamic history. Located in the historic district of North Aceh, this museum is a tribute to the Samudra Pasai Sultanate—the first Islamic kingdom in the archipelago, established in the 13th century. Visitors who step into the museum are immediately enveloped in the spiritual and scholarly atmosphere of an era where Islam first took root in Southeast Asia. The museum beautifully captures the political, economic, and religious significance of Samudra Pasai through curated artifacts and archival records.
This museum is not only a keeper of ancient manuscripts and royal relics—it is also a symbol of Indonesia’s long-standing Islamic heritage and its historical openness to global influences. Traders, scholars, and religious figures from across the Middle East, India, and China interacted with the local Acehnese, creating a vibrant cultural melting pot. Through its exhibits, the museum tells of a kingdom that pioneered Islamic learning, coinage, and diplomacy in the region.
The building itself is designed in a style that combines traditional Acehnese architecture with Islamic motifs, creating a sacred and elegant ambience. Domed ceilings, arabesque designs, and wooden carvings echo the kingdom’s glorious past. Visitors often feel a deep connection between history and faith here, making it both an educational and spiritual stop on their journey.
The Museum Islam Samudra Pasai is ideal for religious scholars, students, and anyone with a love for early Islamic civilization. It also appeals to those tracing Indonesia’s broader historical narrative, from pre-colonial sultanates to Islamic cultural resilience in the modern era.
📍 Place Info:
Located in Gampong Beuringen, North Aceh, close to the ruins of the ancient kingdom and royal tombs of Samudra Pasai. Accessible via road from Lhokseumawe city.
🕌 Local Customs:
✅ Visitors should dress modestly in accordance with Islamic norms
✅ Photography is allowed, but flash should be avoided in certain archival areas
✅ Respectful silence is expected in the tomb sections nearby
🧑🤝🧑 Who Can Visit:
✅ History enthusiasts
✅ Religious scholars and students
✅ General tourists (domestic & international)
✅ Educational field trips
✅ Pilgrimage groups
✨ Highlights:
📜 Ancient Qur’an Manuscripts – written in traditional Arabic calligraphy
💰 Gold Coins of Samudra Pasai – some of the earliest Islamic currencies in Indonesia
🔖 Royal Genealogy Panels – detailed lineage and dynastic transitions
🕌 Miniature Kingdom Diorama – a model of the old Pasai capital and mosque
📖 Translations of Islamic Texts – from Arabic into Malay/Acehnese
🎉 Annual Events:
📅 Islamic Heritage Week – exhibitions, calligraphy workshops, and Qur’anic recitation contests
🕌 Sultan Malik al-Saleh Day (commemorating the first Sultan)
🎓 Student History Festival – school debates, quiz competitions, and tours
📌 Why Visit:
🔹 Witness the roots of Islamic civilization in Indonesia
🔹 See authentic relics of Southeast Asia’s first Islamic kingdom
🔹 Learn about early intercontinental diplomacy and Islamic trade
🔹 Explore beautiful traditional architecture
🕰️ Best Time to Visit:
December–April, with special cultural events in February (commemorating the kingdom’s founding).

