Historical City of Melaka
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Melaka's appeal lies in its rich and colorful past. Its 600 years of history reflected in its ancient building, intriguing streets, delectable cruise and unique cultural heritage.
Melaka enjoyed a reputation as the foremost maritime trading center in the region in the 16th. century. Merchants as far as Middle-East, China, India and Europe came here to trade silk, spices, gold and porcelain.
Melaka's history began in 1403 with the arrival of Parameswara from the Kingdom of Sri Vijaya in Sumatra who became the first ruler and marked the beginning of the Melaka Sultanate.
In 1511, it was conquered by the Portuguese led by Alfonso d'Albuquerque and colonized the state for almost 130 years. The Dutch who came in 1641 ruled Melaka for 154 years. In 1824, the British came in and ruled this state until the country gained its independence in 1957.
Also known as A'Famosa, Porta de Santiago is the most prominent landmark of Melaka. Built in 1511 by the Portuguese as a fortress against foreign invasion. In 1641, during the Dutch war against the Portuguese, this fortress was badly damaged.
The oldest Dutch building in the East. The Stadthuys was built in 1650 as the official residence of Dutch governors and their offices. Now the Stadthuys houses the Museum of History and Ethnography.
Located on the hill. It was built by the Dutch during the third quarter of the 18th century