If you are a certified wanderlust who seeks to wonderful place with a glorious history to feast your eyes upon then Melaka is the ideal place for you!

Endowed with a rich heritage, Melaka or Malacca was believed to be founded by a Sumatran Prince by the name of Parameswara sometime during the 1400s. From then it gradually progressed and began enjoying a great place in the international trading industry. As Melaka began to flourish, the Portuguese conquered it in 1511 but they were later on overthrown by the powerful Dutch in 1641. The Dutch were, in turn, ousted and the British Empire began to take over the place. It was only in 1957 that Melaka finally gained independence under the “Malayan states.” As a result, Melaka now enjoys a rich history that dates back to several centuries and a culture that is greatly influenced by its conquerors.

Let your journey begin!

With its colorful past, Melaka offers several historical sites that tourists can visit. There’s the Portuguese Square which is often referred to as ‘Mini Lisbon’ because of its slight affinity to Portugal. Located on the Portuguese settlement, it showcases the influence of Portuguese culture in its full grandeur. In fact, one can taste the sumptuous Portuguese delicacy by choosing among the varied restaurants that dot the square. If that’s not enough taste of the Portuguese influence, then tourists should check out the cultural performances that are held here every weekend.

Built by the Portuguese to defend themselves against their opponents, A’ Famosa suffered brutal damages during the Dutch Invasion. Now, what are left of this once solid fortress are just the entrance walls known as the Porta de Santiago and some canons.

Melaka ’s oldest Dutch building, the Stadthuys is also the official residence of the Dutch Governor. Situated at Jolan Kota and built right next to the A’Formosa fort, it now houses the Historic and Ethnography Museum that displays historical artifacts and traditional bridal gowns. For those who would want to buy souvenir items, charming little shops that sell local handicrafts are found beside the Stadthuys.

To get a taste of the Malaysian culture, one should not miss the theme parks at Melaka – the Mini Malaysia and the Mini ASEAN. The former features life-sized houses that depict the traditional homes that can be found on the different states of Malaysia. On the other hand, the Mini ASEAN showcases the diverse architectural designs and cultural elements of neighboring ASEAN countries.

Reconstructed at the foot of St. Paul’s Hill, the Melaka Sultanate Palace is more commonly known as the Istana. It gives a glimpse of Malaysia’s rich cultural history by housing over 1,350 artifacts of the Melakan Sultanate and the other communities that comprise Melaka. This area is best seen by trishaw.

It is said that the legendary Hang Tuah served as one of the four bodyguards to Sultan Mahmud Shah. Together with his fellow soldiers, he successfully defended Melaka against the Achehnese and Siamese conquerors. Hence, the Huang Tuah Mausoleum was constructed in honor of that brave fellow that was the youngest Melakan soldier to be knighted. Today, this mausoleum serves as one the most frequently visited historic sites by tourists.

For the firm believers of charms and enchantments, Hang Li Po’s Well will prove to be an excellent place to visit. It was built in 1459 at the foot of Bukit China. According to historians, the hill was the former residence of Princess Hang Li Po’s entourage when she came to marry the local Sultan. When the Dutch conquered Melaka in 1677 they established their right to the well by enclosing it with walls. Nowadays, it is believed that whoever tosses a coin in this mystical wishing well will get a chance to return to Melaka someday.

earn more about Malaysia and Melaka’s colorful history! Come and visit Malaysia now!