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    St. Paul's Hill & A Famosa
    Chongkian / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0

    Malaysia

    St. Paul's Hill & A Famosa

    Point of InterestCulture

    The St. Paul's Hill, known in Malay as Bukit St. Paul, is the historical heart of Melaka. Around the hill, the Portuguese built their fort A Famosa after 1511.

    by Felix Gillen

    1. Home
    3. Destinations
    5. Malaysia
    7. Melaka
    9. St. Paul's Hill & A Famosa
    The St. Paul's Hill, known in Malay as Bukit St. Paul, is the historical heart of Melaka. Around the hill, the Portuguese built their fort A Famosa after 1511. On its summit stands the ruin of St. Paul's Church, while at its foot are the Porta de Santiago gate and several museums.The ascent takes only a few minutes. From the top, you have a view over the rooftops of the old town.

    Sehenswürdigkeiten

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    Proclamation of Independence Memorial

    1Proclamation of Independence Memorial

    The museum, housed in the 1912 building of the former Malacca Club, once a meeting place for British colonial society, recounts Malaysia's journey to independence and its subsequent development. Tunku Abdul Rahman, the country's first Prime Minister, opened the memorial on August 31, 1985. Documents and photographs are exhibited.
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    A Famosa (Porta de Santiago)

    2A Famosa (Porta de Santiago)

    Only the Porta de Santiago gate remains of the Portuguese fort that Afonso de Albuquerque had built around the hill starting in 1512. Stones from destroyed mosques and tombs also served as building material. The British demolished the complex in 1806/07; the gate was preserved, according to widespread accounts, at the instigation of Stamford Raffles. Above the arch, the emblem of the Dutch East India Company and the inscription 'ANNO 1670' are visible, marking the year of the Dutch renovation.
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    St. Paul's Church
    Church

    3St. Paul's Church

    The ruin on the summit dates back to a chapel built in 1521 by the Portuguese commander Duarte Coelho. From 1566, Jesuits began building the Church of Nossa Senhora da Anunciada in its place. After 1641, the Dutch used it as St. Paul's Church until Christ Church was completed in 1753. The body of missionary Francis Xavier was temporarily interred here in 1553; a 1953 statue commemorates him. Old gravestones with Dutch inscriptions lean against the walls of the roofless nave.
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    Sultanate Palace Museum
    Museum

    4Sultanate Palace Museum

    At the foot of the hill stands a replica of a palace from the Sultanate era, built from 1984 to 1986, using hardwood and wooden pegs instead of nails. It was modelled on descriptions from the Malay Annals. On three floors, dioramas, weapons, costumes, and regalia showcase 15th-century court life.
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    Essen & Trinken

    The Story

    Around 1400, Prince Parameswara founded the Sultanate of Melaka, which soon dominated trade in the strait. In 1511, the Portuguese under Afonso de Albuquerque conquered the city and built the A Famosa fortress around the hill.In 1641, the Dutch took over. They used the church on the summit as St. Paul's Church; after 1753, it served as a powder magazine. The British demolished the fortress in 1806/07, with only the Porta de Santiago gate remaining.

    On-site Adventures

    Everything's within walking distance of Dutch Square. The path up the hill is steep but short. From Melaka Sentral bus terminal, you can reach the old town by city bus or Grab.

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    Nearby

    Dutch Square

    Dutch Square

    The Dutch Square is the heart of Melaka's Old Town. Surrounding the square are the red-painted buildings from the Dutch era: the Stadthuys, formerly the governors' administrative seat, and the Christ Church from 1753. From the British period come the clock tower, built by merchant Tan Jiak Kim in 1886 in honor of his father Tan Beng Swee, and a fountain commemorating Queen Victoria.In front of the church, trishaws await, bicycle rickshaws adorned with plastic flowers, fairy lights, and loud music. Early in the morning, you'll have the square almost to yourself.
    Melaka

    Melaka

    Melaka was one of Asia's most important ports in the 15th century. Portuguese, Dutch, and British left their mark on the Old Town, while Chinese, Indian, and Malay communities built their temples, mosques, and kitchens. Since 2008, the Old Town, along with George Town, has been a UNESCO World Heritage site.The distances are short: From the red Dutch Square, you cross the river to Jonker Street or head up St. Paul's Hill. Two days are enough for the city; many visit as a day trip from Kuala Lumpur.
    Melaka River

    Melaka River

    The Melaka River was for centuries the lifeblood of the port city. Today, a riverside promenade passes restored warehouses, cafes, and large murals. At night, the banks are illuminated, and tour boats slowly cruise by.Upstream is the Malay village Kampung Morten with its wooden houses. You can easily explore the route on foot or by boat in one evening.
    Jonker Street

    Jonker Street

    The Jonker Street, officially Jalan Hang Jebat, is the main street of Melaka's Chinatown. In the narrow shophouses, you'll find antique shops, cafés, galleries, and food stalls. In the parallel street, the Cheng Hoon Teng Temple, a mosque, and a Hindu temple stand just a few steps from each other.From Friday to Sunday evenings, the street transforms into a night market. During the week, it's quieter, allowing you to peacefully admire the facades.
    Little India (Melaka)

    Little India (Melaka)

    Melaka's small Indian Quarter is located a few minutes' walk north of Dutch Square. In the shophouses, vendors sell saris, Punjabi suits, fabrics, and spices, interspersed with banana leaf restaurants. Not far away stands St. Peter's Church, dating from 1710.The quarter is smaller and quieter than Little India in Kuala Lumpur, but is well-suited for lunch away from the main tourist routes.

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