Malacca was founded by Parameswara, a Srivijayan prince of Palembang who fled Sumatra following a Majapahit attack in 1377. According to a popular legend, Parameswara was resting under a tree near a river while hunting, when one of his dogs cornered a mouse deer. In self-defense, the mouse deer pushed the dog into the river. He was impressed by the courage of the deer, and taking it as a promising omen of the weak overcoming the powerful, Parameswara decided on the spot to found an empire on the very place that he was sitting. He named it ‘Melaka’ after the tree under which he had taken shelter.
A’ Famosa
After the Portuguese captured Malacca, they built a fortress to defend themselves. The fortress, called A’Famosa suffered severe destruction during the Dutch invasion. What’s left today is just the entrance walls, still well preserved till today.
St Peter’s Church
This was the primary location for congregations of Portuguese Catholics who had it constructed in 1710, during the period of Dutch rule. Now it qualifies as the oldest Catholic Church in Malaysia and still serves resident worshippers of the Catholic faith. They include descendants of the 600 men that Alfonso d’Albuquerque brought ashore after his conquest of Malacca. The existing bell in the belfry states the date and place of manufacture as 1608 – Goa, and was salvaged from an older church the Dutch had burned down. There is also an alabaster statue of the Lord Before The Resurrection.
Bullock Cart Ride
At one time the main mode of transportation for the rich of Malacca is the bullock cart ride. The features that separate the bullock cart of Malacca to that of others are, the pointed roof in the shape of the horn of a bull, trappings and colors. Itsa bumpy ride and a real slow one but the experience is amazing. You will get a closer look on other places around Malacca.
Hang Jebat and Hang Kasturi’s mausoleum
Two of the Malacca Sultanate’s well-known warriors and champion of justice. Hang Jebat was unceremoniously killed by Hang Tuah in a duel of honour that lasted 3 days and 3 nights. He was killed in the name of justice to avenge the sultan’s hasty punishment against Hang Tuah for a crime he didn’t commit.
Hang Tuah’s well is located in Kampung Duyong where Hang Tuah was born and spent his childhood among four of his good friends who would later become the famous warriors of Malacca Sultanate. The well is said to be the abode of his soul which takes the apparition of a white crocodile. For a commoner to catch the glimpse of Hang Tuah is hardly likely. It is said that the holy among us can ever hope to see the apparition.
Hang Tuah’s Well
I have been to Malacca a number of times because my uncle lives there. I have been to the A’ Famosa, rode on the bullock cart and of course i have visited the mausoleum. The bullock cart was a real bumpy ride. I went there with my classmates (an educational tour) and we were laughing all throughout the ride!! there are many hawker stalls that make handy crafts, carvings of names on wood and miniatures made of glass. It’s pretty cheap as well.
