Malacca, Maritime trading port in Melaka Tengah District, Malaysia
Malacca is a port city on the western shore of the Malay Peninsula, spreading along the strait that shares its name. Whitewashed churches, two-story shophouses, and planted squares shape the town center, while modern high-rises stand in the outer districts.
In the 15th century, the settlement became a hub linking Indian, Chinese, and Arab seafarers, until Portuguese forces captured it in 1511. Dutch and later British administrations followed, until Malaysia gained independence in 1957 and the city retained its diverse architectural character.
Residents call their city Melaka, while the colonial name Malacca remains common outside the region. Portuguese, Chinese, and Malay influences merge in the streets around Jonker Street, where food vendors set up in the evening and traders sell antiques.
The historic center can be explored on foot, though afternoon sun is intense, making early mornings or late afternoons more comfortable. Many museums and landmarks sit close to each other and can be covered in a single day.
On the hill above the center stand the ruins of St. Paul, a 16th-century church where Francis Xavier was temporarily buried before being moved to Goa. The view from there takes in the harbor and surrounding rooftops.
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