Malacca (or Melaka) is the third smallest Malaysian state and is located in the southern region of the Malay Peninsula opposite Sumatra on the straits of Malacca. It was the location of one of the earliest Malay sultanate, which was later abolished when the Portuguese conquered it in 1511. The Yang di-Pertua Negeri or Governor acts as the head of state now, in place of the sultan.
Geographically Malacca borders Negeri Sembilan to the north and the state of Johor to the south. Double click the map to get a closer look at Melaka!
What started as a simple village when it was first founded by a fleeing Sumatran prince has since grown into a flourishing port owing to its strategic location where the Malacca River falls into the Strait of Malacca. The state is otherwise bare of natural resources, and thus depends entirely on industrialisation and tourism.
Melaka as it is called by locals means “The Historical State” and rightfully so because the state is steeped in history with many remnants of its glorious past dating back more than 500 years.
Central Melaka is the location of Malacca Town, also the capital of the state near the old coastline. The coastline of today’s Malacca has moved farther down to the south than its original location due to land reclamation. The historical city centre of Malacca town has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 7 July 2008.
When the Portuguese annexed the state, they built a fortress A-Formosa to protect themselves from intruders. The Dutch however wrecked havoc on the fortress when they invaded Malacca. The entrance wall of A-Formosa however still stands tall today on St Paul’s Hill. The Portuguese also built the beautiful church of St Paul’s atop the hill, which later became the burial ground for Dutch nobles. St. Francis Xavier was buried here in 1553 before his body was moved to Goa in India.
A replica of the Melaka Sultanate palace was later reconstructed at the foot of St. Paul's Hill based on the descriptions from the sixteenth-century 'Malay Annals,' or 'Sejarah Melayu.' It is the only building of its kind in Malaysia and houses the Malacca Cultural Museum, which includes many artefacts reminiscent of the ancient Malay kingdom that once flourished here.
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The Historic and Ethnography Museum with its spectacular display of traditional bridal costumes and relics, stands in the Dutch Square or The Stadthuys on the eastern bank of the Malacca River. The museum used to be the official residence of the Dutch Governor and is another fine example of Dutch architecture along with the church built in 1753.
Within a short walking distance from the Dutch square opposite the Padang Pahlawan is the Mahkota Parade - the largest shopping mall in Malacca. This well equipped mall has 150 odd shop fronts offering just about everything under the sun, all under one roof!
The largest Chinese cemetery outside China is at "Chinese Hill" or Bukit Cina with many tombs dating back to the Ming Dynasty. Princess Hang Li Poh and her entourage built the cemetery when they settled on the hill. The Princess was a gift to the sultan by the emperor of China. Her entourage also dug a well, which is a major tourist attraction in present day Malacca. The well is believed to have never dried up in all the years since 1459. Tourists flock to throw coins into this “wishing well”. Those who toss coins into the well are believed to definitely return to Malacca someday.
Malacca till today shows evidence of its close links with the Chinese culture especially Nyonya culture. 'Straits Chinese' or the Baba and Nyonya as they are known are noble descendants of the Chinese that have adopted and interlinked with much of the Malay culture. Jonker's Street, also called the “street of antiques” is a living proof of Malacca's rich Baba-Nyonya heritage with its rows of well-preserved 17th century houses immaculately constructed with elaborate carvings on its pillars and walls, housing generations of Malaccans.
The Baba and Nyonya cuisine is also a popular cuisine amongst locals and tourists here and is normally served with rich coconut milk. There are numerous Baba & Nyonya restaurants in the town and the suburban areas that are known to be the best not only in Malacca, but also in the South East Asian region.
The Nyonya Heritage Museum and Cheng Hoon Teng temple believed to be the oldest Chinese temple in the country are two other sights worth seeing. Constructed in 1645 the well preserved temple reveals some breath taking woodcarvings and lacquer work. The eaves of the temple are decorated with mythological figures and animation made from broken glass and porcelain. The heritage museum also gives a valuable insight into the rich Nyonya cultural traditions.
Malacca today may have grown and extended beyond these historical sites yet many of these remain sights not to be missed.
One such example is the 17th century, Kampung Keling Mosque, one of the oldest in the country with a 3-tier pyramidal roof, typical of Hindu temple architecture. Elegant Corinthian-styled columns support the exquisitely carved wooden ceiling of this magnificent mosque. The mosque is a beautiful blend of Sumatran and Western architecture.
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Apart from these the Sam Po Kong Temple; Sri Poyyatha Vinayagar Moorthi Temple; the Maritime Museum constructed after 'Flora De La Mar'; and the Portuguese ship that sank off the Coast of Malacca on its way to Portugal with its hull laden with invaluable treasures seized from Malacca also give a fabulous insight into the Portuguese supremacy in Malacca.
The Portuguese Square or 'Mini Lisbon' as it is popularly known in Malacca is the culmination of Portuguese culture in its full splendour and colours. Tourists can find Portuguese restaurants at the square serving authentic specialties from the nation.
Malacca also has a fabulous array of other traditional cuisine and hundreds of hotels, resorts and budget hostels located within a short distance from the centre of the town sure to make your stay is memorable. A visit to Malacca truly is a journey through time!
