INTERESTING PLACES

Part of the interesting places that must be visited once you have been in Malacca. Don't miss out the opportunity for an extraordinary experience.

                              

                    A Famosa

A  Famosa is a city of the famous defense in state history of Malacca. It was built by the Portuguese after they conquered Malacca in 1511. The Portuguese under the leadership of Alfonso de Albuquerque was built as a fortress to counter attack by the army Malacca at the time.

It was built around a natural hill near the sea and managed to fend of attacks by the armies of Sultan of Melaka for over a century. Unfortunately for the Portuguese, the Dutch East Indian Company (abbreviated in Dutch to VOC) took over the trading routes and drove the Portuguese out of Melaka in 1641. Why A Famosa says "Anno 1670" when in fact a Famosa’s history dates back to 1511 after the Portuguese conquered Melaka, what is now known as Malacca Malaysia. The Portuguese in their quest for finding a trading route to India, established outposts like Macau and Goa. Then the Portuguese fleet commanded by Alfonso de Albuquerque set foot on Melaka Malaysia. The Portuguese attacked and defeated the armies of the Melaka Sultanate. Of course the Sultanate didn’t give up trying to kick the Portuguese out again, so Alfonso de Albuquerque ordered to built the A Famosa fortress.

 

 

Stadthuys Building

 

The building was built around the 1650’s when the Dutch took over Malacca from the Portuguese in 1641. The building was originally the residence of the Governor of the Netherlands until the beginning of the 18^th century. Located near St.Paul hill, this building consists of 4 floors with an area OF 49,200 sq ft. During the repair work done, some new discoveries have been found among them the drainage time of the British and Dutch in the basement of the building facing the river to Malacca.

Jonker walk

Jonker Walk located at Jalan Hang Jebat is a must visit tourist destinations on visit to Malacca. There are a variety of antiques available at a reasonable price. You can find anything from the past as a decorative fan, handicrafts and tiered basket Baba. Stores that sell antiques so carefull and shopping experience here is something memorable.

                                                       Kubu St.John

               The fort was built by the Dutch in 1760 as a fortress from enemy attacks from the hinterland. At that time the Malays was trying to attack Malacca. Among the features available on the St.John fortress cannon overlooking  the interior and also overlooking the sea. Location fort located on a hill is the site of Senjuang chapel dedicated to John the Baptist. On this day the feast of St.John the Baptist is celebrated by Catholics on every 23th of June with thousands of candles lit in the houses of the city.St John's fort, which is located two kilometres from St Paul's hill in Bandar Hilir, is yet another important remnant of Malacca's rich history and diverse colonial heritage. Although the small fort may not be well known as the A'Famosa which was built by the: Portuguese, its abandoned ruins provide another interesting part in history, brought by one of the colonising powers of Malacca, which also built the red buildings known as the Stadthuys.St John's fort is located atop St John's hill or now known as Bukit Senjuang. To get there, one has to take the road leading to Lorong Senjuang to go up the hill. Before it was known as Bukit Senjuang or St John's hill, it was called Bukit Pipi.The fort was built by the Dutch in 1760 after they took control of Malacca from the Portuguese. However, on a quick tour of the fort, visitors will immediately notice that most of the seven cannons placed there are facing the mainland that is to the south rather than the sea. The Dutch built the fort to protect itself from attacks from the local population who could not forgive them for colonising Malacca. However, before it became a fort, a small Portuguese chapel was built at its present site.
This soon changed in 1628 when opposing Acehnese forces from Sumatera occupied the hill and used it as a base to attack the Portuguese who were fortified at the A'Famosa. Later, the Dutch applied a similar strategy like the Acehnese to use the hill to attack the Portuguese. When the Portuguese were defeated, the Dutch built the fort after more than 100 years.Besides its rich greenery where a small forested area is still left untouched, one can savour the beautiful and scenic view after they ascend the hill by driving up in a car or jogging up to the fort. From the fort one can have an unobstructed view of the changing skyline of Malacca and appreciate the progress the State has gone through.At the top and looking out to the west, visitors will immediately notice the artificial island reclamation project — the RM2 billion Pulau Melaka project — which was previously the small island of Pulau Jawa.Today, the National Museums Department is taking care of this important historical remnant; and in the early morning or late in the afternoon, one will find many joggers running up and down the hill as it is one of the more popular jogging spots. Thus, besides it being used as a historical attraction for tourists, locals also used the hill to keep themselves in trim and view the new skyline of Malacca.

              

Taming Sari tower

  

        Once arrived in Malacca, don’t forget to visit the Taming Sari tower. One of the most interesting places in town, with height of 110 metres, you can enjoy the panoramic view of Malacca Heritage City, St.Paul’s hill, Dataran Pahlawan, Pulau Besar and Selat Mosque.With 360 degree of viewing tower and height of 110 metre, it can load maximum 66 passengers for one shot trip. This Switzerland technology performing ride duration between 7-8 minutes per ride. The operation hour starting at 10 am till 10 pm daily.

Menara Taming Sari is named after the Taming Sari keris, as the structure’s design follows the shape of the keris, with the peak of the tower resembling the keris hilt.  The Taming Sari keris is a mythical weapon belonging to the legendary Malay warrior, Hang Tuah.  The keris was a prize to Hang Tuah from the Majapahit kingdom for killing their supposedly invincible enemy warrior named Taming Sari. The keris derives its name from the original owner. Taming Sari keris is said to possess mystical power, making those who possessed it invincible. Menara Taming Sari is managed by Melaka Taming Sari Bhd, which is a subsidiary of Kumpulan Melaka Berhad, wholly owned by Malacca State government.  Built using advanced Swiss technology at a cost of RM24 million, the structure of Menara Taming Sari is reportedly strong enough to withstand earthquakes measuring up to 10 Richter scale.

A ride in the Menara Taming Sari starts as the glass cabin hypnotically revolves as it rises from the ground to the top of the tower. The tower is able to accommodate 66 people per viewing session and lasts about 7 minutes per session. As the glass cabin reaches the top, a breathtaking view from the height of 80 meters, the ride offers you a spectacular and panaromic view of Historical Malacca City. Various interesting places can also be sighted such as the Stadhuys, St Paul’s Hill, Proclamation of Independence Memorial Building, Samudera Maritime Museum and the ship, Flor De La Mar, Malacca River, Pulau Melaka and the Straits of Malacca.  A ride at night provides visitors a totally different view. Hence it is worth taking rides both in daytime and at night.In addition to the opportunity to get a bird’s-eye view of Malacca, this attraction is also fitted with a tourist information centre and several commercial outlets consisting of a café, a restaurant and souvenir shops.