Malacca, Malaysia
Fridge Magnet from Malacca, Malaysia - Day 56 - Daily Content Challenge
Another Fridge Magnet Story to Share!
Malacca, Malaysia is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Malacca City also spelled Melaka is the capital of the state of Malacca located in southwestern Malaysia.
Malacca is the historical state of Malaysia. It has many heritage buildings, ancient landmarks and colonial structures.
It was here that colonial forces first made contact with Malaysia. Today you can still see the impact British, Dutch and Portuguese forces left behind.
A’Famosa was a Portuguese settlement built in 1511. The remains of the fort is now only a single crumbling whitewashed gatehouse called Porta de Santiago. This spot is a quick photo opportunity for tourists.
Christ Church Melaka was built by the Dutch when they took possession of Malacca from the Portuguese. The interior of the cathedral has 200 year-old handmade pews. There are also decorative fanlights and plaques that honour Dutch soldiers and locals. Outside the church is a beautiful collection of potted plants. A colourful group of trishaws can also be found here. They are all lined up and ready to take tourists to the next landmark.
The third landmark I want to mention is the Melaka Sultanate Palace. This is a wooden replica of Sultan Mansur Shah’s 15th-century palace. The replica was constructed in 1985 using traditional construction techniques and materials. Sultan Mansur Shah’s seven-tiered palace was built entirely without nails. It was supported with carved, wooden pillars and had a copper and zinc roof. The original structure built in 1459 was destroyed when it was struck by lightning the year after the sultan ascended the throne.
Today this complex, also known as the Muzium Kebudayaan (Cultural Museum), is open to the public. There are many artefacts, prints, photographs and drawings depicting the Malacca Malay Sultanate’s history and cultural heritage.
A visit to Malacca is truly a place to explore the rich historical and cultural heritage of Malaysia.
