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In July 2008, ‘The Historic Cities of the Straits of Malacca: Melaka and George
Town’ in Malaysia were jointly included into the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Not many historic cities in the world has experienced such a colourful past as Melaka.
It was a prosperous entrepôt port catering for trade in South-east Asian and Indian
spices, Chinese porcelain and tea and exotic Middle-eastern perfume. Benefiting
from its strategic position at the narrowest point in the Straits of Malacca, it
attracted and sometimes imposed merchant ships to stop here en route East and West
and vice-versa.
Subjected to a succession of political influences from the Malay Sultanate, Chinese,
Portuguese, Dutch and English for more than 500 years, a distinct trail of past
legacies in the form of monuments, relics and cultural practises are evident today.
The three Europeans were colonial masters from 1511 – 1957. Traders and immigrants
from early kingdoms in the Indonesian archipelago, parts of India and Arabia also
made significant social and cultural contributions. ‘Melakan culture’ is truly a
potpourri as well as a fusion of the diverse - some persisting while others evolve
from the ancient and the old to contemporary times.
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The historic Melaka River – once the lifeline of a humble fishing village which grew into a prosperous and renowned international port at its estuary for more than 500 years. It is still a busy place today. Tourists and light cargo boats still ply its waters frequently.
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View from Tan Kim Seng Bridge - the bygone era and the new ‘merge’ in the backdrop. This bridge is reminiscent of the link between the domains of royalty and administrators (Sultanate and Colonial rulers respectively) and the ‘rakyat’ or ordinary citizens on opposite sides of the river.
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The Melaka tree at Dataran Pahlawan (Heroes Square) - a nightly Light and Sound show narrates the history of Melaka here. It was said that the founder Parameswara, a fugitive prince from Palembang (in Sumatra) while resting under a tree witnessed a gutsy mouse deer retaliated against a pursuing dog. Inspired, he resolved to stop running from his enemies and make the place his base. He named it after the tree - Melaka. That year was 1402.
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Traditional Malay village scene in Mini Malaysia, a theme park just outside Melaka town. Houses are constructed from timber and roofs are thatched. Such buildings have almost all disappeared in urban and sub-urban areas in peninsula Malaysia.
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Baffalo rides for the ‘rich and famous’ - of the past. Melakan bullock carts are distinct from those in other parts of Malaysia by its two tall and sharp ‘horns’ on their roofs and exceptionally colourful decorations.
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The temple of a Chinese clan - Eng Choon Association with its ornate decorations. Trade and diplomatic exchanges flourished since Paramewara established himself as king with the assistance of the powerful Ming Emperor in the 15th century. Over time some Chinese merchants decided to settle down in Melaka.
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Beautifully gilded decorations and hard wood furniture in a Baba restaurant, once the residential house of a rich Baba family. The ‘babas’ are Straits born Chinese who have integrated Chinese and local Malay culture through inter-marriages. Their famous cuisines are a unique fusion of Chinese and Malay cooking styles and usage of ingredients.
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The Maritime museum in the shape of the ‘Flor De La Mar’, a Portuguese ship laden with treasures seized from Melaka which later sunk into the sea. On the right is the Melaka River and new Coastal Bridge linking the modern commercial area and historical enclaves.
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Santiago Gate of A ’Famosa, the only remain of the gallant fort Forteleza De Malaca around St. Paul’s Hill. The Portuguese built it shortly after conquering Melaka in 1511. The Dutch changed the name to Porta Santiago after capturing it in 1641. On the right is the Cultural Museum housed in a replica of a palace in the Sultanate era.
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The coastline of Portuguese Village at low tide. The village is known for its seafood restaurants and colourful festivals like Festa de San Pedro honouring the patron saint of the fishermen. The lineage from Portuguese settlers form a unique Eurasian community who still practice the old customs and traditions of their forefathers.
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Town or Dutch Square showing the clock tower, Christ Church and Stadthuys (right - partly hidden). It is at the heart of the old city. Christ Church was built in 1753 and is the oldest protestant church in Malaysia. The Stadthuys built in 1650 were official residences of the Dutch Governor and officers, they are now the History and Ethnography museums.
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St Paul’s Hill and remains of St. Paul’s Church. Originally Bukit Melaka, the hill remained the seat of governmental importance from the age of the Sultans through the Portuguese, Dutch and British till present time. The Portuguese built the church, the Dutch renamed it and the hill St Paul’s Church and Hill respectively.
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English classical style house along Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock dubbed ‘Millionaires Row’. Tun Tan was a minister in the early government of Malaysia after achieving independence from the British. The road originally named Heeren Straat and townhouses were built by the Dutch for government officers and the upper class.
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This section of Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock showcases beautiful Baba houses bought and modified from the Dutch ones by rich baba merchants. Many of these houses have been converted for commercial use including hotels, restaurants and shops. However, some families who have moved away still maintain them as ancestral homes.
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