Melaka: five ways to see the world in one Malaysian city
How to sample historic port's Portuguese, Dutch, Peranakan, Malay and Indian influences
On the shores of the meandering Melaka River lies an extraordinary city loved as much for its interesting streets and colourful architecture as for its rich history, delicious cuisine and fusion of cultures. We visit the capital of Melaka state in Malaysia, a place of many faces.
Portuguese Settlement
In the early 1500s, the Portuguese, on a mission to benefit from the spice trade in the East, colonised Melaka. Today the Portuguese Settlement, on the coastline a few kilometres west of Melaka's centre, is a reminder of this time: a community of a little more than 1,200 Catholic Malaysians who have Portuguese roots. Here, determined to celebrate and hold onto their culture, Catholic images are hung above front doors, the church is central to life, and streets have Portuguese names. In the evenings, Portuguese Square is a lively place for a tasty seafood meal, and if you're there during the day, step into the Portuguese Heritage Museum, where the curator will enthusiastically describe life in the community.
