Malacca Culture and Heritage

The Stadthuys

Built in 1650 as the official residence of the Dutch Governor and his officers, The Stadthuys is a fine example of Dutch architecture of that period.

Preserved in its original structure and form, the edifice now houses the History Museum and Ethnography Museum.

On display daily are traditional bridal costumes and relics from Malacca's glorious past.

Closed on Monday.

St. Paul's Church

Originally named Our Lady of the Hill, this fine church was built by a Portuguese captain named Duarte Coelho. Years later, the Dutch turned the chapel into a burial ground for their noble dead and renamed it St. Paul's Church.

St. Francis Xavier's remains were briefly enshrined in the open grave in 1553 before being brought back to Goa, India.

A'Famosa

The hallmark of Malacca and perhaps the most photographed colonial building here next to the Stadhuys.

Built by the Portuguese in 1511 as a fortress, it sustained severe structural damage during the Dutch invasion.

The Dutch had set to destroy it, but timely intervention by Sir Stamford Raffles in 1808 saved what remains of A'Famosa today.

Muzium Rakyat (People's Museum)

Here, there are exhibits on Malacca's economic and social progress spanning from after the independence of Malaya in 1957 till the end of the 20th century. The exhibits are segmented into tourism, agriculture, industry and other sectors.

Closed on Monday.

Proclamation of Independence Memorial

Built in 1912, the former club house of Malacca Club now houses invaluable exhibits of the country's struggle leading to Independence. Exhibits are in the form of relics, manuscripts, video tapes, films and slides.

Closed on Monday.

Hang Jebat's Mausoleum

Hang Jebat--the champion of justice who died a tragic death. Hang Jebat was killed by Hang Tuah when he suffered a fatal wound from Hang Tuah's keris (dagger), named 'Taming Sari'. Hang Jebat was accused by Hang Tuah of 'derhaka' (to be traitorous).

The duel between two of Malacca's most prominent knights has left a permanent question as to the morale behind Hang Jebat's aberrant reaction against the authority and, the conventions by which Hang Tuah exercised his conduct as a loyal subject of the sultan.

Sri Poyyatha Vinayagar Moorthi Temple

One of the first Hindu temples built in the country in 1781. It was built on a plot given by the Dutch.

Kampung Kling's Mosque

One of the oldest mosques in the country with Sumatran architectural features. Instead of a conventional dome, it has a three-tiered roof rising like a pyramid. A minaret peculiar in shape from a typical Moorish style, is structured like a Pagoda, portraying a mixture of East-West architectural influence.

The Baba and Nyonya Heritage

'Straits Chinese' or the Baba and Nyonya, are Chinese who have adopted much of the Malay culture. The public can now view this unique heritage at the private museum run by the Babas and Nyonyas of Malacca.

Jonker Walk

A definite 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.

Jalan Hang Jebat, formerly known as Jonker Street, is known worldwide among famous antique collectors as one of the best places to hunt and bargain for antiques.

Cheng Hoon Teng Temple

The oldest Chinese temple in the country. It was built in 1646 with materials shipped in from China.

Fine workmanship is evident in the ornately decorated mythological figures, carvings and lacquerwork inside the temple.

Hang Kasturi's Mausoleum

Hang Kasturi studied 'silat' (Malay martial art) under the same tutor as Hang Tuah, Hang Jebat, Hang Lekir and Hang Lekiu. He became one of the 'hulubalangs' (knights) who served Malacca together with Hang Tuah. Except for Hang Jebat, Hang Kasturi and the others remained loyal to the sultan until their dying days.

Kampung Hulu's Mosque

Built in 1728 by Dato Shamsudin, it is the oldest mosque in Malaysia. Its unique architectural style is not traceable to any other in the country.

Villa Sentosa

The house, built in the first quarter of the 20th century in the style fashionable during that era, has been converted by its owner into a private museum. Located in Kampung Morten, which is the only Malay village in the heart of Malacca city, the house has a history that goes back to the British Land Reform act of 1920.

Visitors can view an intriguing collection of costumes, Malay embroidery, furniture, muskets and an array of interesting relics. The owner is happy to fulfil the role of curator and is keen to offer visitors additional information.

St. Peter's Church

Built in 1710 during the Dutch occupation in Malacca. It is the oldest Roman Catholic church in Malaysia and sits on a piece of land donated by a Dutch gentleman, Maryber Franz Amboer.

Its fac,ade and de'cor have a combination of Eastern and Western architecture. One of its bells was cast in Goa in 1608.

Poh San Teng Temple

The temple is located at the foot of Bukit China. This handsome place of worship was built in 1795 by Kapitan Tsai Shih Chang. Within the temple is the famous well, San Pao Ching or Perigi Raja, subject of many legends and stories.

Hang Li Poh's Well

Built in 1459 by the followers of Hang Li Poh, the Chinese princess who married the Sultan of Malacca.

The well never dried up during the days of old and was the only source of water during great droughts. The Dutch enclosed it with stout walls in 1677 to maintain ultimate right to the well.

It has been turned into a wishing well and it is said that those who throw coins into it will return to Malacca time and again.

Bukit China

Translated as 'Chinese Hill', this breezy real estate was the official settlement of the Chinese entourage that arrived with Princess Hang Li Poh. She was sent to Malacca by the Emperor to marry the Sultan to mark the advent of diplomatic relations between Malacca and China. The entourage stayed on this settlement until the Portuguese occupation in 1511. Today Bukit China is the largest Chinese cemetery outside China with many of the tombs dating back to the Ming Dynasty.

St. John's Fort

Rebuilt by the Dutch during the third quarter of the 18th century, St. John's Fort was once 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 Malacca came mainly from the hinterland instead of from the sea.

Portuguese Square

Perhaps the right phrase to infer strong affinity to Portugal would be 'Mini Lisbon'. Located within the Portuguese Settlement, the square is the centre of Portuguese culture in Malacca and Malaysia.

Tranquerah Mosque

Prominent in its architectural grandeur, the mosque is unique and bears testimony to the fact that Islam had a rightful place in Malacca almost 600 years ago. The tomb of Sultan Hussain of Johor is in the compound of the mosque. He was the ruler who signed the cession of Singapore with Sir Stamford Raffles in 1819.

Maritime Museum

The Portuguese galleon, the Flor De La Mar, sank in the Straits of Malacca on its way to Portugal. Her hull was laden with invaluable treasures seized from Malacca. The galleon would have been erased from memory had it not been for the efforts to revive its symbolic significance to Malacca's 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 ship models that had once called at the port of Malacca during the height of its maritime hegemony.

Tun Teja's Mausoleum

The daughter of Sri Amar Di Raja Pahang was convinced by Hang Tuah to marry Sultan Mahmud Shah. She died as a queen in Merlimau, about 24 km away from Malacca Town, while retreating with members of the Malacca royal family from the Portuguese attack in 1511.

Jasin Museum

The Jasin Musuem was established to uncover the facts and myths behind the establishment of Jasin, one of the significant settlements of Malacca's territorial expansion.

It depicts the lifestyle, the history, background and the political, cultural and economic development of Jasin. Using a British Commissioned building, the Jasin Museum houses an impressive collection of artefacts which includes paintings, pictures, costumes, agricultural implements and weapons from Melaka's rich and colourful past.

Included in its showcase is an exhibit of Sultan Mahmud Shah's infatuation for Puteri Gunung Ledang (Princess of Gunung Ledang).

Alor Gajah Museum

The Alor Gajah Museum houses exhibits to help visitors visualise the amazing stories behind the district of Alor Gajah.

The district was the site of the Naning War where from 1831 to 1832, a Naning warrior by the name of Dato' Dol Said fought against the British.

There are also exhibits on Malay, Chinese and Indian people who settled and built Malacca.