Malacca is a Malaysian metropolis located on the Straits of Malacca, one of the most important shipping routes in the world. The strategically good location has over time meant a lot to Malacca’s development, and the city even has a natural harbor protected from storms by several small islands. The Malacca River flows through the city, dividing Malacca in two.

Malacca has a rich history. The city was the capital of the sultanate that Paramesvara founded in the 15th century. It was a time when Malacca had also become an important part of the international spice trade, and that status continued through the centuries. Around 100,000 inhabitants already lived here at the beginning of the 16th century.

In 1509, Portuguese ships reached Malacca for the first time, and two years later Portuguese troops headed by Afonso de Albuquerque captured the city. The Portuguese built a fortress in the city, and thereafter Malacca was under Portuguese rule until 1641. The city was an important conquest for Portugal, which opened the route to the seas of the Far East.

After the Portuguese came the Dutch who conquered Malacca in 1641. They ruled the city until 1824 with an exception during the Napoleonic Wars, when Britain temporarily conquered it. At that time, the British demolished the city’s old fortress to weaken the city in relation to the British competitor Penang. Before Malaysia’s independence, Malacca, like the entire Malay Peninsula, was part of the British colonial empire and part of The Straits Settlements. Today, Malacca is one of the largest cities in Malaysia, and it is a city that, with its cultural history, has been included in UNESCO’s list of world heritage sites.

There are many interesting sights in Malacca today. They come from the city’s different eras and cultures. You can start a visit in the city center, which dates from the Dutch colonial era. On the characteristic red square along the Malacca River stands the old town hall Stadthuys and the landmark Christ Church, which was completed in 1753 in the Dutch colonial style.

In the same neighborhood you can see the churches Gereja St. Francis Xavier and Gereja St. Paul, located at the top of St. Paul’s Hill. Saint Paul’s Church was built in 1521, making it the oldest church in Malaysia and Southeast Asia. The church stands today as a beautiful and accessible ruin.

From former times, you can also see the preserved part of A Famosa, which was the old fortress of the Portuguese in Malacca. After the British destroyed the structure in 1806, only one of the entrance gates remains. Just north of A Famosa, you can visit the Malacca Sultanate Palace Museum, which is a historical museum located in the reconstructed Sultan’s Palace.

Malacca also has a very well-preserved Chinatown, where you can see many old Chinese buildings. Here you can visit the Baba-Nyonya Heritage Museum, which is a historical museum that tells the Chinese way of life and history in the city. Chinatown is home to several Chinese temples, such as the Cheng Hoon Teng Temple, which was founded in 1645.

On a trip to Malacca, you should make a trip along the Malacca River as well, where you can enjoy the atmosphere of old Malacca. There are promenades on both sides of the river through the historic center and there are cafes and restaurants along the way where you can enjoy many great views. You can also board a river trip here.