Melaka is a small state of Malaysia that covers not more than 1,664 km² area. This small state with a population of around 800,000 in 2010 offers great hospitality to the visitors. You will find plenty of tourist attractions, best restaurants and shopping places here, but let us now introduce you to the aspect of Melaka that made it one of the world heritage sites of UNESCO. There are plenty of places to visit in Melaka that attract tourists, especially those interested in heritage and history.
Here is our hand picked top places to visit in Melaka with historical background.
MELAKA CITY (PRIVATE TOUR)
1. St Paul’s Hill
St Paul’s Hill is surrounded by a lot of historical places and restaurants. You have to climb up the hill to see St Paul’s Church which is one of the great historical places of the city and country. The Church was first constructed in 1521. The Church is today part of Malacca Museum Complex. The building was just a chapel in 1521, which the Christians of that time dedicated to the Virgin Mary. At the end of the sixteenth century, the Church was renamed Igreja de Madre de Deus.
2. St Peter’s Church
The St Peter’s Church was built in 1710 by the Portuguese Catholics. The building was completed in the Dutch reign. Being a world heritage site, it is the oldest Catholic Church in the country. People still visit the Church and attend sermons in the big halls. There is a bell in the Church that mentions that the building was erected in the early seventeenth century. Do visit this historical place, you will also find an alabaster statue of Christ.
3. Christ Church Melaka
A little younger than the other historical Churches in Melaka, the Christ Church was built in 1753. It is the Protestant Church located just near the St. Paul Hill. Captain of the Malacca Burghers, Abraham de Wind laid the foundation stone of the Church. It took around 12 years to complete the Church.
After the completion of this Church, it became the primary Dutch Converted Church in Dutch Malacca replacing the Bovenkerk. The Red building adds to the elegance of the environment around even today.
Christ Church Melaka is in the city center which is best known as red square. You will not miss this among other places to visit in Melaka.
4. The Stadthuys
In the cluster of historical places in Malacca, the Stadthuys is also counted. The name of the place is a Dutch word that means a city hall. The buildings in the place are painted red, thus it is also known as the Red Square. This is the place connected to almost all parts of the city and you can call it the heart of Malacca Town. The Dutch Governor of Malacca built it in 1650. The Stadthuys is reserved as a Museum of History and Ethnography today. The place stores some of traditional costumes and artefacts that remind you of the history of Malacca.
5. Heeren Street
Heeren Street is located just near Jonker Street in Melaka but it’s importance still stand. This place is one of the most important roads. The visitors to the Jonker Walk also visit this place and visitors especially come here to see how some of the residential use buildings were converted to the finest restaurants and historical places.
The place was once inhabited by the richest Malaccan families. Thus, it was famous as the “Millionaires’ Row”. Walk-in Heeren Street and be glad since you are lucky enough to visit the place that once welcomed only the richest.
The simplicity of Heeren street is unique so keep this among your places to visit in Melaka list.
6. Cheng Hoon Teng Chinese Temple
The Cheng Hoon Teng temple or “Temple of Green Cloud” reminds of the Chinese architecture in Malacca. The Chinese used to practice three Doctrines here including Taoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism. The Cheng Hoon Teng Temple is one of the oldest functioning temples in Malaysia. Just near the Harmony Street, the Temple covers 4,600 m² area which is beautifully decorated. There is also a 7-meter pole that has a red flag with names of three captains.
For a unique experience, keep this temple among the list of places to visit in Melaka.
What you waiting for? Book your Melaka getaway now with Tripcarte Asia! We have plenty to choose from.