ADVERTORIAL MELAKA: OLD CHARM WITH A MODERN TWIST Over 600 years of history has seen Melaka transform from what was once a fishing settlement, has now prospered into a major international trading port along the Straits of Melaka. The historic city of Melaka has stood witness to the glory days of the Malay Sultanate and later the occupation by Portuguese forces in 1511, followed by Dutch rule in 1641 before the British finally took over in 1824. Melaka is historically important, because not only was the declaration of independence proclaimed in Melaka when Malaya gained its independence from the British, but Melaka was also declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site on 7th July, 2008. Being the cultural melting pot that it is, one can experience the old charm of its streets and colourful architecture, as well as enjoy a wide range of cuisines which will make you truly spoilt for choice. 2 www.PropertyHunter.com.my www.PropertyHunter.com.my 3 ADVERTORIAL to Malaysia’s west coast, particularly apart from having a collection of Malay Melaka Sultanate Palace HERITAGE TRAIL Melaka. traditional wear, musical instruments Melaka’s heritage trail is the main attraction with its fascinating history and assimilation of different cultures and antique furniture. St. Francis Xavier Church resulting in some unique architectural delights. Porta De Santiago @A’ Famosa Fort Stadhuys Christ Church Hereen Street & Jonker Street The Melaka Sultanate Palace is a life- sized replica of Sultan Mansur Shah’s Located at Jalan Laksamana, this palace, built based on ancient records church was built in 1856, in honour of Christ Church is an 18th-century found in the Malay Annals. The Melaka St. Francis Xavier, a prominent 16th- Anglican Church in the city. It is the Heeren Street was for the “gentlemen” Sultanate Palace is unique, as it offers century Catholic missionary. This twin- Porta de Santiago is the sole surviving The Stadhuys, which means ‘Town oldest functioning Protestant church in or “masters” in the upper crust of a rare glimpse of an ancient Malay spired neo-gothic structure was built gateway into A’ Famosa (the Famous Hall’ in Dutch, was built by the Dutch Malaysia and is within the jurisdiction society. Jonker Street, on the other kingdom which once flourished in on the site of an old Portuguese church One), a huge fortress built in 1511 out occupants in 1650 as the office of the of the Lower Central Archdeaconry of hand, was named after a place for Melaka. An interesting fact about Sultan by a French priest, Father Farvé and of dismantled mosques and tombs, Dutch Governor and Deputy Governor. the Anglican Diocese of West Malaysia. “young noblemen”. Jonker Street was Mansur Shah’s seven-tiered palace is the church’s finishing touches were commissioned by the Portuguese using Situated at Laksamana Road, besides Originally painted white, the church and once renowned for its antique shops. that it was built entirely without nails and completed in 1859 by Father Allard, slave labour. It was once part of a crucial the Christ Church, it is regarded as the neighbouring Stadthuys building However over the years, it has turned supported with carved, wooden pillars with the present-day presbytery built structure used by the Portuguese to the oldest remaining Dutch historical was painted red in 1911 and this into a clothing and crafts outlet and and featured a copper and zinc roof. in 1874. The church was believed to maintain its colonial foothold in the Far building in the Orient and is now distinctive colour scheme has remained lined with restaurants and lifestyle be modelled after the Cathedral of St. East. The Fort is now among the oldest Portugese Square home to the History and Ethnography the hallmark of Malacca’s Dutch-era cafés. The best part of Jonker Street is Peter in Southern France, Montpellier. surviving European architectural remains Museum. This massive red building buildings since. the night market on Fridays, Saturdays, To date, St Francis Xavier Church still in South-East Asia. displays all the features of Dutch and Sundays that sells everything serves its function as a Catholic church, colonial architecture which include from tasty treats to cheap keepsakes. with regular mass services being held St. Paul’s Hill substantial solid doors and louvered Meanwhile, Heeren Street may not be from time to time. Having been around windows. as hectic as Jonker Street where the for more than a century, the church’s tourists throng to, but Heeren Street structure now leans slightly to the left. offers a more historic, old-world charm and provides amazing sights and Kampung Morten stories. The Portuguese Settlement is home to Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum the Kristang community in Ujong Pasir. This small community of around 1,000 people are descendants from early Atop St. Paul’s Hill sits the St. Paul’s Portuguese settlers. Originally known as Church which was built in 1520 by Saint John’s village, it grew to become a Portuguese trader named Duarte one of Melaka’s main tourist attractions, Coelho. Formally named as ‘Nosa improving the standard of living of Kampung Morten is located about a Senhora’ which means Our Lady of its villagers. Today, the settlement 15-minute walk north of the historic the Hill, it was a major chapel for the which is sometimes called Mini Lisbon, city centre. The village is named after Portuguese. After the Dutch took over, The ‘Straits Chinese’, also called ‘Baba comprises a few streets with names a British land commissioner, J. F. they renamed the chapel St Paul’s Nyonya’, are Chinese of noble descent like D’Alberquerque, Sequeira, Eredia, Morten, during the British Malaya. The Church and worshipped there for over a who have adopted and merged the D’Aranjo and Texeira. At its heart is the area has since evolved to become a century, until they had finished building Malay culture with theirs upon settling Portuguese Square (Medan Portugis), tourist attraction since it was declared Christ Church at the bottom of the hill, in Melaka. This has been a gradual which comprises a courtyard with a a heritage village under Malacca’s after which they abandoned St Paul’s. process lasting over 400 years since the number of seafood restaurants, a couple Preservation and Conservation After stints as a lighthouse and as a great Chinese explorer Admiral Cheng of bars and a small museum. Enactment in 1989. Villa Sentosa found gunpowder storeroom, St Paul’s fell into Ho first brought Chinese traders to within Kampung Morten is popularly decay and has never been restored. Melaka. Over the centuries, the Baba known as ‘The Living Museum”. Villa Nyonyas have developed a distinct Sentosa exhibits a unique interior design and fascinating culture that is unique 4 www.PropertyHunter.com.my www.PropertyHunter.com.my 5 ADVERTORIAL Nyonya Kuih especially on a hot day. This is a Wantan Mee MELAKA FOOD GUIDE traditional dessert made of shaved ice, coconut milk, green starched noodles Food lovers will definitely be delighted with what Melaka has to offer. Food is one of the biggest highlights of with pandan flavoring and palm sugar. Other ingredients such as red beans, the city, with an array of cuisines, all thanks to its diverse culture. Well-known for the delectable Peranakan glutinous rice, grass jelly, creamed corn, cuisine, there are plenty of other dishes not to missed. might also be included. Where: Aunty Koh’s Cendol @Jln Batang Chicken Rice Ball Nyonya Laksa Satay Celup Tiga, Jonker 88, The Kappan HouseWhere: Aunty Koh’s Cendol @Jln Batang Tiga, Nyonya Kuih – kuih is a term for Malay Jonker 88, The Kappan House cakes – are bite-sized desserts that are colourful, usually taken as a snack. The Coconut Shake Nyonya kuih comes in different shapes, colours, textures and designs. Some are steamed or boiled, some baked or fried but most are sweet and savoury. This dish is prepared with noodles garnished with leafy vegetables Melaka’s signature dish has got to be Another popular must-try is the satay Where: Baba Charlie’s Nyonya Cakes, and sliced pork while the broth and the chicken rice ball. The rice is boiled This dish has many variations but either celup. This is a dish where an assortment Bibik Ong @Ujong Pasir, Yummy Garden dumplings are served in a separate bowl. in chicken soup with other seasonings. way, every Malaysian laksa is highly of raw and semi-cooked seafood, meat Food Court Melaka’s wantan noodle is distinguished When cooked, it is rolled into a ball that appreciated and cherished by both locals (including raw meat) and vegetables on by the noodles’ pale appearance and Asam Pedas Fish The best way to beat the heat in Melaka’s gives its unique look and texture. The and tourists. The laksa is pungent, rich skewers are dunked into a hot boiling readily served with chilli sauce. rice balls are fragrant and savoury and and well flavoured from its spices, chilies pot of satay gravy. sweltering weather is to have a cup the chicken tender. and its broth, which is usually prepared of coconut shake. It is a concoction of Where: Jalan Bunga Raya, Jalan Bukit using chicken and prawns. Where: Capitol Satay, McQuek’s Satay coconut water, its flesh, ice cube and Cina, Tua Kor Wantan Mee Where: Chung Wah Coffee Shop, Huang Celup, Ban Lee Siang vanilla ice cream blended together in Chang Chicken Rice Restaurant, Ee Ji Ban Where: Juat Lye Melaka, Nancy’s Kitchen, a mixer. The cool, sweet and creamy Mille Crêpe (halal) Yung Lai Siang, 486 Baba Low aftertaste will leave you feeling refreshed. Where: Klebang Coconut Shake, Batu Berendam Coconut Shake The main ingredients of this dish comprise of fish/seafood, okra, eggplant, Tandoori Chicken long green bean and tomato.