Katarina, Vicky and Jennifer head south from Kuala Lumpur to the old historical city of Melaka (or Malacca) to unravel the city's history, explore the back lanes lined with artisans, appreciate the spicy delights of Peranakan food and to stay in the beautifully restored Puri Hotel.
The Portuguese colonised Melaka from 1511 to 1641. The first thing they did was build a fort overlooking the river, calling it A'Famosa. As Melaka was the centre of struggles between super powers of the time, and suffered the constant threat of attack, the A'Famosa fort was critical in Portugal maintaining its colonial foothold in the Far East.
The Portuguese colonised Melaka from 1511 to 1641. The first thing they did was build a fort overlooking the river, calling it A'Famosa. As Melaka was the centre of struggles between super powers of the time, and suffered the constant threat of attack, the A'Famosa fort was critical in Portugal maintaining its colonial foothold in the Far East.
Within the fort walls were housing and food stores, a castle, a meeting room for the Portuguese Council and five churches. A seven-month attack by the Dutch just about destroyed the entire fortress, leaving only the entrance façade and the structure of a church at the top of the hill.
Go for a stroll up St. Paul's Hill on a cool late afternoon and wander among the majestic trees and historical remnants. Here, you can almost imagine the glories and miseries of the besieged lives the Portuguese would have led right here all those years ago...
Key
Tips
Head up St. Paul's Hill only after 3 pm when the refreshing sea breezes start up...
How
to get there
By Foot or Taxi Because of St. Paul's Hill's very central location, it is very easy to get to and from if you are staying in Melaka.
Who
to contact
For more information, please contact Department of National Heritage at +606 – 288 3599 or Tourism Malaysia Melaka Office at +606 – 288 3304 / 1549.
Accommodation
Overview
Melaka has a wide range of accommodation available, from basic backpacker's hostels to 5-star hotels.
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USER COMMENTS
Hydhir wrote
at 12:38:34 PM on 8 Jul 2010
Aku suka bngt ma Malaka... Malacca is the best...
abadalla wrote
at 7:46:00 PM on 10 Aug 2009
the best country i had visited, i hpoe i can go there again
wa.ktana wrote
at 1:14:56 AM on 7 Jul 2009
great place, sights around melaka town. must take pic when you are there.
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Melaka Attractions
Portuguese Square - Also known as Mini Lisbon, it is the centre of Portuguese culture in Melaka.
Zoo Melaka - It is the second largest Zoo in the country with more than 1,200 animals of over 200 different species.
St. John's Fort - This was once a private Portuguese chapel dedicated to St. John the Baptist.
Renaissance Melaka Hotel
- The Renaissance Melaka Hotel is the first Renaissance hotel in Asia, situated in the heart of the historical city of Malacca.
