Melaka (Malacca)

Melaka (Malacca) is where the most important part of Malaysian history took place. Founded over 600 years ago, it became an empire envied by powers in the east and west. Traders from all over the world came and traded their goods here, forming a marketplace spanning many miles. It became the centre of commerce, knowledge and cultural development in the region at that time. All that changed when in 1511, the Portuguese raided Melaka. It didn’t work out too well for the Portuguese; soon, they were defeated by the Dutch. However, the British gained control of Melaka, after the Dutch agreed to swap it with Java. And thus, the British occupation of Malacca and Malaya lasted until Malaysia gained her independence in 1957.

Pic: Me at the A' Famosa. The cannons face inland instead of the straits because back then, attacks usually came from inland.

Today, Melaka is also fondly known as the historical city. Six hundred years of multi cultural history has definitely left its mark in Melaka. One of the most enduring historical landmarks in Melaka is the A’ Famosa. The A’ Famosa was built by the Portuguese in 1511 as a fortress to defend Melaka against attacks. It was badly damaged after the Dutch rained cannonballs at it, but in 1806 Sir Stamford Raffles ordered that the building be restored. Further uphill, there’s a place called St. Paul’s Church. It used to be a Portuguese church named “Our Lady of the Hill”, but the Dutch renamed it St. Paul’s Church. The site has an air of calmness surrounding it, and the view from up here is pretty breathtaking too.

When the Dutch occupied Melaka, they built The Stadthuys as the official residence of their governors. It has since become a museum, with displays of traditional costumes, cultural artifacts and such. The Dutch also built St. Peters Church, which is the first Roman Catholic church in the country. There is also an alabaster statue, which I’m informed is the Dead Lord Before the Resurrection. Another old church, the St. Francis Xavier’s Church was built in 1849, in memory of St. Francis Xavier. He actively preached Catholicism during the 16th century. Architecture of this church is intricate and inspiring.

Pic: The Melaka Sultanate Palace Museum. The design was based on the actual palace that was destroyed hundreds of years ago.

When the Portuguese came to Melaka, they married locals and settled down here. There are Portuguese Settlements in Melaka with the descendants of the 16th century Portuguese still living there. There are cultural performances where you can learn more about their culture and festivals. Oh yes, antique collectors and bargain hunters must not miss a visit to Jalan Hang Jebat (Jonker Walk). If you look around and willing to buy, you could find antique porcelain and other stuff dating back a few hundred years! The antiques could be from many origins, such as Dutch, English, Chinese and even Japanese. And no visit to Melaka would be complete without a visit to the Melaka Sultanate Palace Museum. The building is a replica of a traditional palace, housing many historical artifacts from Melaka’s past. Also, it’s quite fun to check out the historical district in Melaka by taking a trishaw ride.

Pic: Another famous museum in Melaka, the Samudera Museum. This museum was modeled after a Portuguese frigate that sank in a storm after plundering tons of the Sultan's treasure in 1511.

After exploring the historical district and scouring it for antiques and souvenirs, you could head down to Tanjung Bidara beach to unwind and relax. There are chalets if you plan to stay overnight. Another beach in Melaka where you can relax is Tanjung Kling. Around these parts, everything takes a slower pace, that’s what relaxing at the beach and country life is all about anyway, right? Well, if you have something more upbeat and modern in mind, why not check out the A’ Famosa Theme Park. It’s really fun with the Water World and also the Wild West section. There’s also a wildlife safari there where you can experience a close encounter with the animals there. Immersing yourself in the Melaka experience is surely something you’ve got to do. For such a small place, Melaka has much waiting to be discovered.