The historically rich state of Malacca was founded by Parameswara, an exiled prince from Sumatra, in 1396. It can be said that much of the country’s development can be traced back to this historic moment; from the time of its founding, Malacca flourished as a port where merchants and ships from China, India, Europe and Arabia met to trade.

In 1511, it fell into the hands of the Portuguese and subsequently to the Dutch in 1641. From 1826 it was ruled by English East India Company based in Calcutta, along with the company’s other “holdings” of Penang and Singapore.

Malaysia’s first Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj, proclaimed the nation’s Independence at Padang Pahlawan in Bandar Hilir, Malacca, on Feb 20, 1956.

Malaysia’s Melting Pot

One can find Malays, Chinese, Indians, Nyonya and Baba (Chinese who married locals), Chittys (descendants of Indians who married local women), Dutch Eurasians and Portuguese Eurasians in Malacca.

The Chitty community settled in a village at Gajah Berang called Kampung Chitty, while the Portuguese stay in a settlement called the Portuguese Settlement in Ujong Pasir.

Dancers performing at Portuguese Square

Unique food fest

Food is unique here with a wide variety of choices. Nyonya food is a combination of Chinese and Malay delicacies while the notorious devil curry is of Portuguese origin.

Satay celup is a local version of lok-lok (tidbits on skewers dipped into boiling water and then eaten with sauces) that consists of prawns, cockles, vegetables and others on wooden skewers and cooked at the table in a pot of hot satay sauce.

Chicken ball rice is another Malacca creation, where the rice is blended and shaped into balls the size of table tennis balls.

Ikan bakar, or grilled fish, is not to be missed with sauces available in two styles, Malay and Nyonya.

Satay celup

International trade

While the state relies heavily on the tourism sector, the Malacca government is also keen to attract foreign direct investment and a number of Taiwanese companies have already set up factories in the state.

The newly built Malacca International Trade Centre is designed to serve as the venue for international events such as exhibitions and conventions.

This culturally rich, scenic state holds something for everyone: families looking for quiet getaways, history and architecture buffs (English, Dutch and Portuguese building styles have strongly influenced the town’s architecture), holidaymakers in search of adventure, even collectors of antiques.

The Ship Museum