Apart from Georgetown, Melaka has been one of my favourite cities. Melaka has been inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage Site on 07 July 2008. It is where you can find a multi-cultural town that survived three successive European colonial powers for almost 500 years and the unique influence of colonial architecture. As you walk around Melaka Heritage Site, you would be informed that such building retains the Dutch architecture while the other is an example of Baba Nyonya architecture. During #gayatravel Kembara Cuti-cuti 1 Malaysia Melaka, I managed to cover part of Melaka Heritage Walk. I will try my level best to replicate my other Melaka trip to offer you a complete Melaka Heritage Walk tour.
As we were staying at Quayside Hotel, a customs warehouse turned 3-star boutique hotel, we began our Melaka Heritage Walk at the bank of Melaka River with the red wall that welcomes every traveler entering Melaka.
Melaka Trees
Not far from the wall, we had been introduced to Melaka trees which were planted along the riverbanks of Melaka river.
This is Melaka tree and its fruits. According to our guide, the original kuih buah melaka is big ie. in the size of 50 cents coin. These days the size has reduced to the rise in flour and sugar price. The significance of Melaka tree is to serve the legendary tale whereby Parameswara named the area Melaka when he saw a mousedeer kicked his hunting dogs while resting under a Melaka tree.
St. Francis Xavier Church
On our right side, stood a two-towered Gothic church by the name of St. Francis Xavier Church built by the MEP(Paris Foreign Missionary) in 1849. The church is dedicated to St. Francis Xavier aka Apostle of the East. On my previous trip to Melaka, I had photographed St. Francis Xavier Church but I did not get the beautifully crop image as it seemed that one tower was leaning to another. I did some photo editing but it was very weird that I abandoned it. When the guide confirmed that the church was not positioned straight with a slight lean to right, I went, “Ah, no wonder…”. It was believed that the church was built on the ruins of the old fort to have caused the church to tilt to its current position.
Then, we strolled down the riverside while admiring the old buildings that lined the old river. I wonder what’s inside the water. We had been informed that moves had been taken to control the depth of the river and to clean the water once or twice a week. How Melaka has changed. Just across the river from where we were, Hard Rock Cafe Melaka outshadows the neighbouring buildings. The exterior character of old houses in Melaka is the protruding chimney.
Break from Melaka Heritage Walk- Cendol Jam Besar
The walkway along the riverbank is connected to the centre of Bandar Hilir where the Dutch Squar, Christ Church and Weathercock are. They are the famous landmarks of Melaka. We took a break from the heated weather by having cendol at the famous Cendol Jam Besar. Cendol Jam Besar was back in business after losing the stall to fire. In Melaka, there are two types of cendol. One is the usual mamak cendol, while the other is baba nyonya’s cendol. The one we were having was the former.
Dutch Square
Dutch Square has become a landmark to Melaka Heritage Walk as it is located in the centre of the city. These days, Dutch Square is a favourite wedding photoshoot for the newlyweds for its striking red buildings as perfect backdrop. On weekends, you could rent traditional clothings for a photography session.
The majestic building known as Stadthuys is a reproduction of the former town hall of the Frisian town of Hoorn in the Netherlands which only existed until 1796. It was believed that the building was built shortly after Melaka was captured by the Dutch after a prolonged siege. The Stadhuys serves as residency of the governor as well as administration centre and town hall to entice the traders to return to Melaka. The Stadhuys is now home to Museum of History and Etnography.
Christ Church
Christ Church of Melaka is the oldest surviving Dutch church building found outside Netherlands. After capturing Melaka from the Portuguese, a new house of worship was built to replace the decaying church located at the summit of St. Paul’s Hill. In this church photography is not allowed.
P/s: Melaka Heritage Walk (Pt 2) coming soon…