Melaka has done a very good job to restore and maintain its historical heritage. Most of the Melaka's historical buildings and museums are located in and around the vicinity of the Stadthuys and the area in its entirety is known as the Town Square (see below). As well all historical buildings including Christ Church are painted in a stark red colour (not sure why but is does make it easy for visitors to identify buildings.

Stadthuys
Constructed by the Dutch between 1641 and 1660, the Stadthuys is the focal point of historical Melaka and still considered the centre of the city despite not being in the geographical centre of Melaka. The building is pure Dutch colonial - massive in size with louvered windows and big solid wooden doors. When it was originally constructed the building would have been much closer to the water's edge and was first as the residence for the Dutch governor as well as serving as town hall.

Nowadays the Stadthuys is home to the Museum of History and Ethnography. There's quite a bit on display here - historical maps, stamps, paintings and lithographs together information on the history and cultures of Melaka's various ethnic groups. There's also an exhibit on the Malay kris (dagger).

A'Famosa / Porta de Santiago
All that is left of the original Portuguese fortress, A' Famosa is to be found next to Proclamation of Independence Memorial. Built in 1512 by Alfonso de Albuquerque the main gate of the fort is known as Porta de Santiago. The fortress, originally located on the waterfront, was seized by the Dutch in 1670 and the only legible inscription remaining is the Dutch East India's coat of arms over the main archway. It seems that the fort would have totally destroyed by the British save for the intervention of Sir Stamford Raffles.

To the rear of Porta de Santiago are stairways that lead up to the back of St. Paul's church where St. Francis Xavier was interred temporarily after his death in China (click here for more info).

Fort St. John
Just outside of town and before the turn off to Medan Portugis is Fort St. John. Originally built by the Portuguese as a church dedicated to St. John the Baptist - hence the name - the church was recommissioned as a fort by the Dutch when they took over control of Melaka. During the later part of the 18th century the Dutch renovated the fort and whilst the British laid waste to A'Famosa they paid no attention to Fort St. John. The fort is noteworthy for its gun placements which face inland, not towards the sea, because at the time attacks on Melaka were launched from the land not the waterfront.

Hang Jebat Mausoleum
Known as a champion of justice Hang Jebat died a tragic death being killed by his fellow knight, Hang Tuah after suffering a fatal wound from Hang Tuah's dagger 'Keris Taming Sari'. The duel of honour between the two knights lasted three days and nights. Legend has it that Hang Jebat ran amuck in the name of justice to avenge the sultan's hasty punishment against Hang Tuah for a crime Hang Tuah did not commit. Even so Hang Tuah did not commit the crime, Hang Tuah remained loyal and obedient to the sultan and accepted the punishment and accused Hang Jebat of contumacy (being arrogant).

The duel between Melaka's two most prominent knights has left an an open ended debate as to the morality of Hang Jebat's reaction against authority and the morality of Hang Tuah's conduct as loyal subject of the sultan even in the face of injustice.

Hang Kasturi Mausoleum
Together with Hang Jebat, Hang Kasturi was another of the four knights (hulubalangs) under Hang Tuah ( the two being Hang Lekiu and Hang Loekir). A master of 'silat' (Malay martial arts) Hang Kasturi is known for remaining steadfastly loyal (unlike Hang Jebat) to the sultan to his dying day and is honoured and remembered for this loyalty.

Hang Li Poh Well
Adjacent to the Sam Po Kong Temple is a 15th century well built by built for the Chinese Princess Hang Li Poh by her husband Sultan Mansor Shah. Once a reliable source of water for Melaka, the well was an important strategic political asset and always under attack by those wishing to take control of the city (indeed the homes of many wealthy Chinese feature wells in the courtyard which are still evident today). Over the years Hang Li Poh well was poisoned several times by invaders - first by forces from Johor in 1551, killing some 200 Portuguese and then by the Dutch in 1606 as well as the Acehnese in 1628. At one time legend had it that if you drank from the well it would ensure that you would return to Melaka but be advised that nowadays the water is not potable.

Chinatown
Standing at the Stadthuys and looking north you will see a small windmill with a small 2 lane bridge. The bridge crosses the ---- River and leads you straight onto Jalan Hang Jebat, also known as Jonkers Street (or also known fondly as Junk Street). Perhaps the most famous street due to the wide assortment of small antique and art shops and the occasional restaurant that stretches the length of the street, Jalan Hang Jebat is a fine place to shop and browse. Famed for its interesting assortment of antique and craft shops, with the

Crossing the bridge and going either right takes you down Jalan ---- where it easy to wander about (all of Chinatown can be seen in a few hours) and get a feel for the way many Straits Chinese still live today and a see many Kampung Kling Mosques and several Chinese and Hindu temples.

Crossing the bridge and turning left takes you down Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock (also know as Hereen Street. Running parallel to Jonkers Street Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock once the address for wealthy Chinese is now home to several small boutique hotels that have been converted from the old Peranakan houses. Unfortunately visitors are not allowed in the Chee mansion (the magnificent sky blue mansion just across from the Puri Hotel) but visitors can visit the Baba-Nyonya Museum at 48-50 Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock.

Bukit Cina
With more than 12,000 graves covering Bukit Cina (China Hill) it is the largest Chinese cemetery in the world outside China. Bukit Cina was first established as a residence in the mid 15th century when the daughter of the emperor of China's Ming Dynasty was brought to Melaka to wed the Sultan of Melaka to strengthen military ties between the two states. As befitting a princess, she brought a enormous retinue of some 500 servants and hand maidens to attend her and took up residence on this spot that has become known as Bukit Cina. The area has been populated by Chinese people ever since. The oldest graves dated back as far as the Ming Dynasty. Space is now running out but the large, older graves are interesting in as much as they give a glimpse into way the Chinese view death. Built heading into the hill with a large headstone to protect from evil winds the position allows the spirits of the deceased to look down over the town and see what their descendants are up to.