Malacca: UNESCO Heritage City of Multicultural Layers

MalaysiaTourism
Written By Victor Raab-Hubertus Corrado Von Tiele-Winckler

Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008, Malacca (Melaka) and George Town are part of the "Historic Cities of the Straits of Malacca," showcasing almost 500 years of trade and cultural exchanges between East and West. This historic port city has undergone various colonial occupations, including the Malay Sultanate (15th century), Portuguese (1511-1641), Dutch (1641-1825), and British (1825-1957), leaving lasting architectural and cultural traces, making it Malaysia's most historically rich destination.

In April 1511, Afonso de Albuquerque captured the city with 1,200 troops and 17 ships, slaughtering Muslim citizens but sparing Hindu, Chinese, and Burmese. This marked the beginning of the Portuguese era. Portuguese colonisation drastically undermined Malacca's status as a centralised Asian trading hub, dispersing commerce across competing ports. Francis Xavier, a Jesuit missionary, spent months in Malacca (1545, 1546, 1549) promoting Christianity. The Portuguese legacy in Malacca includes the A Famosa stronghold (1511) and the Porta de Santiago gate, which is the city's most photographed monument. St. Paul's Hill contains the remnants of St. Paul's Church, where Francis Xavier was temporarily buried.

The Dutch overcame the Portuguese in 1641 after years of siege attempts. They ruled until 1798, but prioritised Batavia (Jakarta) over Malacca's development. Dutch contributions include the iconic Stadthuys (originally painted white but later repainted red), the bright red Christ Church (consecrated in 1753), and infrastructure upgrades. The terracotta-coloured colonial architecture of Malacca's Dutch Square (Red Square) is a popular tourist attraction.

British dominance from 1824-1942 (acquired via the Anglo-Dutch Treaty trading Malacca for Bencoolen in Sumatra) brought Victorian characteristics. The Queen Victoria Memorial Fountain and St. Francis Xavier Church symbolise this era. Meanwhile, Chinese businessmen developed the magnificent Jonker Street (now Jalan Hang Jebat), which is lined with typical Peranakan shophouses. The Cheng Hoon Teng Temple, Malaysia's oldest Chinese temple, erected in 1673, features elaborate Southern Chinese architecture. The Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum showcases Peranakan culture, a unique combination of Chinese and Malay customs formed by Straits Chinese people.

Modern Malacca keeps its mixed heritage while introducing new attractions. Jonker Walk night market (Fridays-Sundays) offers a colourful bazaar with antiques, handicrafts, and street food. The Malacca River cruise offers views of riverfront structures with diverse architectural styles. Stadhuys hosts the History and Ethnography Museum. Accommodation options vary from renovated Peranakan shophouses to modern hotels. The city, located 148 kilometres south of Kuala Lumpur (a 2-hour journey), is a popular weekend destination for exploring Malaysia's colonial past and cosmopolitan present in its accessible historic heart.

Sources

Victor Raab-Hubertus Corrado Von Tiele-Winckler
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