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Cheng Hoon Teng
Built in 1646 Cheng Hoon Teng Temple is known as either The Green
Merciful Cloud Temple or the Temple of Bright Clouds and is the
oldest Chinese temple in Malaysia. Visually stunning with its colourful
roof adorned with intricate carvings of dragons, birds and mythical
creatures the temple was constructed entirely from materials and
artisans imported from southern China. Located in the heart of Chinatown
on Jalan Tokong the temple houses the statue of Kuan Yin (Goddess
of Mercy) and has three altars within the main temple to pay homage
to the three teachings - Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism.
Christ
Church
Anchoring the eastern side of Town Square is the icon of Melaka
and one of the most photographed structures in Malaysia, the bright
red Christ Church. The church was built as a Reform Church by the
Dutch in 1753 using red bricks imported from the Dutch village of
Zeeland and coated with a local red material. The ceiling beams,
each 15 metres in length were each cut from single trees.
Under British rule the Church was converted to an Anglican Church,
which it still serves as today with English worship services held
each Sunday at 8.00am. The British added the bell tower and weathercock
but it still has the tombstones of many Dutch and Armenians from
Dutch rule laid in the floor.
Church
of St. Francis Xavier
The most modern 'historic' church, the Church of St. Francis Xavier
was built by a French Priest named Father Frave in 1849. Located
on Jl. Laksmana it is only 200 metres from the Stadthuys and is
fine example of a late colonial church design.
Kampung
Kling Mosque
In Chinatown at the corner of Jalan Lekiu and Jalan Tukang Emas
stands one of Malaysia's oldest mosque the Kampung Kling Mosque
(only the Kampung Hulu Mosque built in 1728 is older). In addition
to its age Kampung Kling Mosque is notable for its architecture.
Borrowing from Sumatra the mosque features a watch tower minaret
with a Moorish design and multi tiered Hindu inspired roof in lieu
of a dome the mosque bears testimony to Melaka's rich and varied
history.
Sam
Po Kong Temple
At the foot of Bukit China on Jalan Laksmana Cheng Ho lies the Sam
PO Kong Temple. Dedicated to Admiral Cheng Ho the temple was constructed
in 1795 and named to commemorate the fish that sacrificed its life
by plugging a hole in the hull Admiral Cheng Ho's ship (you may
remember Cheng Ho as the Chinese admiral who came to the aid of
the Sumatran Prince Parameswara and was instrumental in the development
of Melaka - for more info click here) thus saving the good admiral
and his crew (legend has it that the admiral did the fish a good
turn a few years earlier...).
St.
Paul's Church
In the heart of Town Square just a few metres from the Stadthuys
are the stairs to leading to Bukit St. Paul (St. Paul's Hill). With
commanding views overlooking all of Melaka, Bukit St. Paul is where
you will find the ruins of St. Paul's Church. Built by the Portuguese
in 1521 St. Paul's Church was a small chapel named 'Our Lady of
the Hill'. Not longer afterward the church underwent two expansions:
first in 1556 when a second story was added and then again in 1590
when a tower was added at the front of the building.
When the Dutch supplanted the Portuguese, they renamed the church
and continued to use it until their church, Christ Church, was completed
in 1753. Once the Dutch stopped using the church it fell into disrepair
until the the British took over and front tower was replaced by
a light tower (for use as a light house) and a storehouse for gunpowder
of all things.
Whilst the setting is magnificent, the church is perhaps best known
as the temporary resting place for St. Francis Xavier. St. Francis
Xavier was known to have attended the church while Melaka was under
Portuguese control and following his death in China in 1552, St.
Francis Xavier was interred on the church grounds until his remains
were transported to Goa, his final resting place. A marble statue
of St. Francis Xavier at the front of greets visitors ascending
the stairs from the Stadthuys.
St.
Peter's Church
This unimposing yellow coloured church located on Jalan Bendahara
is the oldest functioning Catholic church in Malaysia. Built by
descendants of the first Portuguese setters in 1710 the church is
notable for its bell that was cast in Goa India in 1608.
Sri
Poyatha Venayagar Moorthi Temple
Barely 100 metres from Kampung Kling Mosque lies the Hindu temple
Sri Poyatha Venayagar Moorthi Temple. Built in 1781 and dedicated
to the Ganesh (the deity with and elephant head) this temple is
well
Tanquerah
Mosque
Another of Melaka's oldest mosques is the Tanquerah Mosque sitting
two kilometres outside Melaka on the way towards Port Dickson and
notable for a couple reasons. First, like Kampung Kling Mosques
is its Sumatran design, this time featuring a pagoda style roof
in lieu of a minaret. Secondly, this is the final resting place
of Sultan Hussain Shah of Johor, who famously (or infamously...)
sold the the island of Singapore to Sir Stamford Raffles in 1819.
The sultan spent in his last years Melaka before dying in 1853.
If you're not on your way to Port Dickson but still wish to see
the mosque take No. 18 bus from the local bus station.
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