07 Jul 2014
The city of Malacca is located on both sides of the Malacca River near its mouth into the Strait of Malacca. The historic central area of the city is located near the old coastline, includes St Paul's Hill with the ruins of the Portuguese fortress, A Famosa and the Dutch Square on the right (eastern) bank of the river, and the old Chinatown on the left (western) bank. The modern city has grown in all directions from this historic core, including to the south (because the present coastline of the Strait of Malacca is somewhat further down to the south than its original location due to land reclamation). The "Chinese Hill" (Bukit Cina), where a large old Chinese cemetery is located, was formerly located to the northeast of the town, but now is surrounded by the city on all sides. Malacca river winding its way through the old town and the city centre.
History Of Malacca
The site where the city of Malacca stands today was the center of Malaccan history. It was the capital of the Malacca Sultanate and was the centre of the Malay world in the 15th and the 16th century after the Malays moved over from Sumatra and was the most prosperous Entrepôt and city of the Malay Archipelago before it fell to the hand of Portuguese in 1511. Centuries of colonization by the Portuguese, Dutch and the British as well as development of Straits Chinese (Peranakan) culture have influenced the architecture of the town, notably the Portuguese A Famosa, Dutch Stadthuys, and the Dutch, Chinese and British influenced traditional town houses.
Places of Interest
1.) Porta de Santiag This prominent landmark almost synonymous with Melaka, was a fortress built by the Portuguese admiral, Alfonso d’ Albuquerque in 1511. It was badly damaged during the Dutch invasion in 1641. Timely intervention by Sir Stamford Raffles, a British official, in 1808 saved what remains of the A’Famosa today.
2.) Stadthuys Another major landmark in the state, the Stadthuys was built in 1650 as the official residence of Dutch governors and their officers. Originally white, it was given a striking salmon-red colour to match the nearby Christ Church.
3.) Christ Church Situated adjacent to the Stadthuys, this bright red structure is testimony to Dutch architectural ingenuity. Interesting features include the church’s handmade pews, ceiling beams (constructed without joints), brass bible, tombstone and ‘The Last Supper’ in glazed tiles.
4.) St. Paul’s Church St. Francis Xavier was buried in the open grave here in 1553 before his body was transferred to Goa in India. The church has acommanding view of Melaka.
5.) St. John’s Fort The fort is located on St. John’s Hill and was originally a private Portuguese chapel dedicated to St. John the Baptist. The fort has an interesting feature; cannons face inland as during that time attacks on Melaka came mainly from the hinterland instead of from the sea..
6.) Bukit Cina As the name implies, ‘Chinese Hill’ was the official settlement of the entourage that arrived with the Chinese Princess Hang Li Po. She was sent to Melaka by the Ming emperor to marry the Sultan, marking the advent of diplomatic relations between Melaka and China.
7.) Hang Li Po’s Well Built by the followers of Hang Li Po, the well was the only source of water during great droughts. The Dutch enclosed it with stout walls to reserve it for their exclusive use. Today, it enjoys a reputation as a wishing well.
8.) Hang Tuah’s Mausoleum This famous Malay warrior served as the admiral of Melaka’s naval forces and defended successfully countless attacks against Melaka. The outstanding military exploits of Hang Tuah and his four comrades, made him a legend in the history of Melaka.
9.) Baba and Nyonya Heritage Museum This museum was the ancestral home of three generations of a Baba-Nyonya (descendants of the Chinese who arrived in Melaka and married locals) family. An open-air courtyard is situated in the middle of the house. Furniture is made of Chinese rosewood in a mixture of Chinese, Victorian and Dutch designs.
10.) Maritime Museum This unique museum is housed in a replica of the Flor de la Mar, a Portuguese vessel that sank off the Melaka coast. Inside the museum are models of ships, authentic maps, old iron chests and charts.
11.) Melaka Sultanate Palace (Cultural Museum) At the foot of St. Paul’s Hill, lies the wooden replica of a 15th century Malay palace. The building has been turned into a cultural museum with main exhibits relating to Melaka culture.
12.) Portuguese Square The Portuguese Square is located within the Portuguese Settlement, 3km from the city. Built in the late 1980s, the square is inspired by the Portuguese mercado. It is the venue for local cultural shows performed every Saturday evening.
13.) A’Famosa Resort Located in the vicinity of Alor Gajah, is the award-winning A’Famosa Resort which boasts several themed attractions which include the A’Famosa Water World, A’Famosa Animal World Safari and A’Famosa Cowboy Town.
14.) Traditional Melaka House A typical traditional Melaka house stands on 12 to 16 main pillars, usually two metres high. The decorative flower-motif tiled steps are its most striking feature. Traditional Melaka houses can still be seen in rural communities with the most famous located in Bukit Paloh.
15.) Mini Malaysia This themed complex showcases 13 life-size authentic and traditional houses of Malaysia crafted by master builders.
16.) Melaka Zoo The Melaka Zoo is home to more than 200 species ofanimals found in Southeast Asia and Africa.
17.) Cheng Ho Cultural Museum This museum located in Bandar Hilir is filled with artefacts related to Admiral Cheng Ho who sailed to Melaka from China in the 15th century. There are about 2,000 historical items related to Cheng Ho and the Ming Dynasty being displayed at the museum, including crockery, coins, the Cheng Ho Well, clothing and a replica of Cheng Ho’s ship.
18.) Tanjung Tuan The westernmost tip of Peninsular Malaysia, Tanjung Tuan was formerly known as Cape Rachado. The 18th century lighthouse there was built at its promontory to guide sailing ships safely to Melaka. The cape consists of a 65ha coastal forest cum recreational forest which serves as a sanctuary for migratory raptors
19.) Islands Off the Melaka coast are a cluster of islands, the largest being Pulau Besar and Pulau Upeh. Pulau Besar offers sandy beaches, beachfront chalets, beach activities and golfing. Pulau Upeh is a quiet island getaway for nature lovers and provides visitors the opportunity to see the rare Hawksbill turtle.
20.) Antiques Jonker Street (renamed Jalan Hang Jebat) in the older section of the city is a haven for antique collectors and bargain hunters. Authentic artefacts and relics, some dating as far back as 300 years, can be found among a host of interesting collectibles, each with its own history and mystery.
For those arriving by air at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport, you can get to Melaka by taxi or air-conditioned coaches. Melaka is a 2-hour drive from Kuala Lumpur and 2 hours from Johor Bahru. Melaka is a popular stop-over destination for cruise ships. Ferries also ply between Melaka and Dumai in Sumatra. The Batu Berendam airfield also receives flights from Indonesia.Map Of malacca City Click Here
Source From Asiatravel.com
