Where history comes alive
Tourists the world over visit Malacca largely for its antiquated charms.
That it has been gazetted an United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) World Heritage site has also helped draw in the visitors. Indeed, almost every nook of the city is replete with historical significance.
Its old, uniquely-designed buildings are one of the main attractions. Every day, busloads of tourists arrive to take in the charming splendour of these vestiges of Malacca’s past.
The Stadthuys, St Paul’s Church, mosques, temples and mausoleums are among the places that attract swarms of tourists.
Interestingly, and unique to Malacca, too, are its heritage-themed hotels. These are popular as not only are they cosy, they give tourists the opportunity to live and breathe Malacca’s past.
The hotels are well-known among foreign tourists, too, and as such, are usually fully-booked, especially on weekends and holidays.
Heeren House looks nondescript from the outside but step inside and one will virtually be transported to another time.
Located right in the centre of town - the old part of it - next to Sungai Malacca, Heeren House, which was once a warehouse, a coffee shop and a family home, is now a hotel furnished with colonial and Peranakan furniture.
It has a homely ambience and would be particularly nostalgic for those who grew up in a Peranakan household. The rooms are simple but fitted with modern amenities.
There are souvenirs for sale and a small café at the ground level of the hotel, which should more appropriately be referred to as a guesthouse, given its home away from home atmosphere.
It is also strategically located. Walk several metres and one will reach the bustling Jonker Street, which has everything from antiques and kebaya nyonya to ethnically-styled clothing for sale.
Another hotel with a heritage theme is Puri Hotel, located not too far from Heeren House.
Puri Hotel once belonged to the descendants of an eminent philanthropist and rubber plantation owner, Tan Kim Seng and it has been carefully and beautifully restored.
It has a beautiful interior that is decorated with antique chairs and vases, which lend it a heritage touch.
Like Heeren House, accommodation at Puri Hotel is reasonably priced compared with some of the more upmarket hotels in the city.
A luxurious heritage-themed hotel called Majestic Malacca has recently been launched.
A totally reconstituted 54-room hotel, the Majestic Malacca, previously known as the Majestic Hotel, is YTL Hotel’s first classic hotel in Malacca.
The Majestic, also located on the bank of Sungai Melaka, was once a private mansion that was built in the 1900s. It has been redesigned to integrate the old with the new, and the modern with the historic.
Abd Rahaman Rasid
abdrahaman@gmail.com
Source: New Straits Times, Wednesday, March 11, 2009
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Showing posts with label Malacca. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Malacca. Show all posts
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Malacca Rich in History of Malaysia
1. Tranquerah Mosque
This is a historically important landmark as the tomb of Sultan Hussain of Johor, who gave Singapore to Sir Stamford Raffles in 1819, lies within its grounds. This mosque is also unique in its architecture which reflects both Indian and Chinese influences.
2. Kampung Morten
Names after J.F. Morten, who was the Commissioner of Land in the early 1920s, when the site housed a cluster of wooden houses on stilts. Originally a swamp, it has now been paved overand the village is a tourist attraction as it is a living museum of a traditional Malay village along the Malacca River.
3. Bukit China
The sacred grounds of Bukit Cina are popular with tourists, especially those from China, who come to trace their family members who venture to Malacca. Nice and breezy, this sacred ground is worth a visit and even for a jog, starting from the Sam Poh Kong temple.
4. Kampung Kling Mosque
This is one of the oldest surviving mosques in the country and its architecture is of Sumatran influence. It is still used as a place of worship by the Muslims in Malacca today.
5. The King's Well
Better known as the Hang Lin Po well, it was built by the followers of the Chinese princes who married the reigning Sultan Mansur Shah in the 15th Century, in 1549. It is now a wishing well, although it is said that the well, which was the main source of water for the town, never dries up.
6. St Francis Xavier Church
This church was built by Reverend Favre in 1849 and dedicated to the Saint Francis Xavier who was canonised in 1622 and known as the patron saint of foreign missions of the Catholic Church. It is built over part of the old Portuguese fort ruins.
7. Kampung Hulu Mosque
Said to be the oldest mosque in Malaysia, it was built in 1728 by one Dato Shamsudin. It is one of one of the most visually arresting and unique mosques architecturally, without any discernible parallel or resemblance anywhere else in the country. The roof is multi-tiered and shaped like a pyramid.
8. Malacca Sultanate Palace
This is a reproduction of what the annals deemed as the palace of the ruler of the ancient Sultanate. It currently also houses the Cultural Museum of Malacca on the grounds. Entrance fee is RM1 for adults and 50 sen for children.
9. Tribal Art Gallery
If you are into art, then here is where you can find some primitive art works. Cleverly-designed by the owner, the place is dimly-lit and resembles a tribal shack with strange and menacing-looking objects seemingly lurking in the shadows.
10. Chicken Ball Rice
This is just like Chicken Rice found everywhere except that the rice is made into balls by hands. Famosa Chicken Rice Ball is one of famous outlets here besides Hoe Kee, all in the town centre. It was initially created by the Hainanese in Muar, Johor and expanded to Malacca.
Author:
Abd Rahaman Rasid
Email: abdrahaman@gmail.com
Visit Sponsor Link: How to Drive Traffic To Blog
This is a historically important landmark as the tomb of Sultan Hussain of Johor, who gave Singapore to Sir Stamford Raffles in 1819, lies within its grounds. This mosque is also unique in its architecture which reflects both Indian and Chinese influences.
2. Kampung Morten
Names after J.F. Morten, who was the Commissioner of Land in the early 1920s, when the site housed a cluster of wooden houses on stilts. Originally a swamp, it has now been paved overand the village is a tourist attraction as it is a living museum of a traditional Malay village along the Malacca River.
3. Bukit China
The sacred grounds of Bukit Cina are popular with tourists, especially those from China, who come to trace their family members who venture to Malacca. Nice and breezy, this sacred ground is worth a visit and even for a jog, starting from the Sam Poh Kong temple.
4. Kampung Kling Mosque
This is one of the oldest surviving mosques in the country and its architecture is of Sumatran influence. It is still used as a place of worship by the Muslims in Malacca today.
5. The King's Well
Better known as the Hang Lin Po well, it was built by the followers of the Chinese princes who married the reigning Sultan Mansur Shah in the 15th Century, in 1549. It is now a wishing well, although it is said that the well, which was the main source of water for the town, never dries up.
6. St Francis Xavier Church
This church was built by Reverend Favre in 1849 and dedicated to the Saint Francis Xavier who was canonised in 1622 and known as the patron saint of foreign missions of the Catholic Church. It is built over part of the old Portuguese fort ruins.
7. Kampung Hulu Mosque
Said to be the oldest mosque in Malaysia, it was built in 1728 by one Dato Shamsudin. It is one of one of the most visually arresting and unique mosques architecturally, without any discernible parallel or resemblance anywhere else in the country. The roof is multi-tiered and shaped like a pyramid.
8. Malacca Sultanate Palace
This is a reproduction of what the annals deemed as the palace of the ruler of the ancient Sultanate. It currently also houses the Cultural Museum of Malacca on the grounds. Entrance fee is RM1 for adults and 50 sen for children.
9. Tribal Art Gallery
If you are into art, then here is where you can find some primitive art works. Cleverly-designed by the owner, the place is dimly-lit and resembles a tribal shack with strange and menacing-looking objects seemingly lurking in the shadows.
10. Chicken Ball Rice
This is just like Chicken Rice found everywhere except that the rice is made into balls by hands. Famosa Chicken Rice Ball is one of famous outlets here besides Hoe Kee, all in the town centre. It was initially created by the Hainanese in Muar, Johor and expanded to Malacca.
Author:
Abd Rahaman Rasid
Email: abdrahaman@gmail.com
Visit Sponsor Link: How to Drive Traffic To Blog
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