Well, a visit to Malacca city is not complete without stopping at the Red Square aka Dutch Square; obviously named because of the number of buildings painted red around the square. It seems the Dutch buildings were originally white but the British had them painted red.
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| Clock tower built by a Chinese Kapitan during British rule |
The Red Square, built in 1650, was the administrative capital of the Dutch. It housed the then city hall of the Dutch, called the Stadthuys (pronounced as 'stat-highs' meaning town hall). The Stadthuys was the office of the Dutch Governors and then followed by British Governors for almost 300 years and apparently it is the oldest remaining Dutch building in Asia. The Malacca government has converted the Stadthuys into a museum which now houses Malacca's most important historical journey and ethnography artifacts.
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| That is a fountain named after Queen Victoria in front of the Stadthuys |
The Christ Church built in 1753 by the Dutch still stands here. It is said to be the oldest Protestant church in Malaysia.
History tells us that the Stadthuys was built on the ruins of the Portuguse fort. As you climb up the St Paul Hill, you will see a Dutch graveyard. The British later used it as a burial ground for its army officers and spouses.
As for the Portuguese, the only traces that remain is the A Famosa fort and that too, only a small gate.
The Portuguese stayed in this fortress for 130 years. There are also some ruins (which was accidentally uncovered in 2006) of the Portuguese fortress on the banks of Malacca River.
The Portuguese stayed in this fortress for 130 years. There are also some ruins (which was accidentally uncovered in 2006) of the Portuguese fortress on the banks of Malacca River.
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| Porta de Santioga - the only remaining gate of the Portuguese fort - the rest was demolished by the British |
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| View from St Paul's hill |
For most Malaysians, we do not have any idea of Portuguese or Dutch rule in Malacca. All that history books tell us is that they came, conquered, ruled, were either defeated or left. How was Malacca like during their rule, we do not know. These buildings, I am sure, have seen history happen, and they remain an important link to that era. The other proof of their existence are the descendants of the Portuguese for which there is a Portuguese settlement in Malacca but none of the Dutch. Besides that, there is the use of Portuguese and Dutch words in the Malay language,
