Kadato Kie (Sultan's Palace)

The Kadato Kie is the rebuilt palace of the Tidore sultanate, sitting on a hill in Soasio with the volcano behind and the strait in front. It is open to visitors most days for a small donation and contains a modest collection of royal regalia, weapons, and photographs documenting the sultanate's history. The interior is laid out in the traditional pattern of audience hall, throne room, and private quarters, with carved wooden columns and tiled floors throughout.

The current sultan and his family use parts of the building for ceremonies, so visiting hours can be irregular — ask at the gate, and dress modestly. The caretakers are usually happy to walk visitors through the rooms and explain the significance of the various heirlooms. Combine the palace with one of the forts above town for a satisfying half-day on the Tidore side of the strait.

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A story
The Sultanate of Tidore was once one of the four kingdoms of North Maluku and at its height controlled territories stretching as far as the western coast of New Guinea. The kadato itself was repeatedly destroyed during the colonial wars; the present building was rebuilt in 2010 on the foundations of the original eighteenth-century palace, using traditional carpentry and Maluku timber. The sultan today is a ceremonial figure but real respect is still paid to his office.