Malacca was founded by a fleeing prince from Sumatra in 14th century, it developed into a major trading port for ships from India and China. As the Malacca Sultanate flourished, the Portuguese conquered Malacca in 1511. Later the Dutch took over in 1641 until much later the British empire ruled Malacca. The state finally obtained independence with the then "Malaya states" in 1957. Today, one will find many remnants of the glorious past dated back more than 500 years ago.
Tanjong Keling Mosque
The Tanjong Keling Mosque is one of the oldest in the country (17th century). It's a blend of Sumatran and Western architecture with a 3 tier pyramid roof, a touch of Hindu influence perhaps. The carved wooden ceiling is supported by elegant Corinthian-styled columns.
Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum
'Straits Chinese' or the Baba and Nyonya are Chinese of noble descendants who have adopted much of the Malay culture into theirs. The public can now view the heirloom unique to this heritage at a private museum run by the Babas and Nyonyas of Malacca.
Intermarriage between early Chinese settlers and local Malays resulted in the unique Baba-Nyonya culture. Within the walls of this heritage building, visitors can learn more about the culture. This is a private museum run by the Babas and Nyonyas of Malacca.
Cheng Hoon Teng Temple
The Cheng Hoon Teng Temple Malacca is the oldest functioning Chinese temple in Malaysia. It was founded in 1645 by Kapitan China Lee Wei King. Kapitan China was a position created by the Portuguese to act as an administrator of the local Chinese community.
Cheng Hoon Teng, located at the heart of Malacca Chinatown, is a premier historical monument that has survived the ravages of time. It remains the finest of Chinese temples in Malaysia - a fact underscored by an UNESCO award for outstanding architectural restoration. The temple is ranked among the most significant in Southeast Asia, being central to the spiritual aspirations of the Chinese community in historic Malacca.
Hang Kasturi Mausoleum
Hang Kasturi is one of the five great warriors during the time of the Malacca Sultanate, particularly during the reign of Sultan Mansur Shah (1456-1477), the other four being Hang Tuah, Hang Jebat, Hang Lekiu and Hang Lekir. As young men, they studied silat under the same silat master. The title "Hang" is bestowed by the sultan for the highest ranking Malay warriors.
Hang Kasturi's Mausoleum is located along, interestingly, Jalan Hang Jebat (formerly Jonker Street), whereas Hang Jebat's Mausoleum is located at Lorong Tukang Kuli, within a stone's throw from Jalan Hang Kasturi. Although the mausoleums were claimed to belong to these warriors, no factual evidence has been put forth to verify this.
Hang Tuah Well
The exploits of the Malacca warrior and admiral of the fleet Hang Tuah are the stuff of legend. He had an outstanding military career in the service of Sultan Mansur at the height of Malacca power in the 15th century, and was able to stave off attacks by the Siamese and Achenese fleets.
This well is located in Kampung Duyung, the reputed birthplace of the great admiral. It is said by the locals, the well contain Hang Tuah's spirit in the form of a white crocodile. It is also believed that the spirit can only be seen by the spiritually pure.
Maritime Museum
The Museum is constructed after 'Flor De La Mar', the Portuguese ship that sand off the coast of Malacca on its way to Portugal. With its hull laden with invaluable treasures seized from Malacca, the ship was doomed from existence had it not for the efforts to revive its symbolic significance to Malacca heritage.
At the museum, visitors can get a closer look at Malacca from the famed Malay Sultanate of the 14th century to the Portuguese era, the Dutch era and the British era. There are exhibits of foreign ships that had once called at the port of Malacca during the height of its maritime hegemony.
A Famosa
A Famosa, or "The Famous" in Portuguese, is among the oldest surviving European architectural remains in Asia. Once part of a mighty fortress, this tiny gate (called the Porta de Santiago) is all that is left of a once-mighty fortress. In 1511 a Portuguese fleet arrived under the command of Alfonso de Albequerque. His forces attacked and successfully defeated the armies of the native Sultanate.
Moving quickly to consolidate his gains, Albequerque had the fortress built around a natural hill near the sea. Albequerque believed that Malacca would become an important port linking Portugal to the spice trade from China. At his time other Portuguese were establishing outposts in such places as Macau, China and Goa, India in order to create a string of friendly ports for ships heading to China and returning home to Portugal.
Portuguese Square
Built in 1984, the Portuguese Square will remind you of a tiny town in Portugal. The square is a great place for relaxation and dining. There are restaurants, food stalls, pubs and a mini-museum. Towards the evenings on most weekends, you will see plenty of visitors and tourists packing the pubs for food, concerts, and traditional Portuguese dances (performed on Saturday evening, weather permitting). It is a colorful and fun place to be!
Stadthuys
The Dutch rules Malacca more than a decade. They were good in designing building even. The famous of all is the Stadthuys. It is the oldest Dutch building ever being build in the far east. Was build in 1650. Now, this area hosting variety of museum. Visiting this place will bring you back to those past century. And there's a unique clock tower in front of it even.
