Benteng A Famosa Melaka

gojohor April 23, 2024 Destinations, Travel No Comment

A Famosa is a Portuguese fort in Melaka located under St Paul’s hill. Judging from the architecture of the building, this fort has a classic European feel in Asia. However, of the entire A Famosa fortress, what remains today is only a gate called Porta de Santiago and several cannons.

Also known as Fortaleza de Malaca , Fort A Famosa which is located on Jalan Parameswara, Bandar Hilir, Melaka is historical evidence of Portuguese colonization in 1951. Apart from the gate which still stands tall and is decorated with various ornaments, most tourists are also interested in visiting the historical ruins. inside it.

Melaka is a city with a long history and during its development it was controlled by four foreign nations. Starting from the Portuguese who occupied Melaka in 1511. Then in 1753, Melaka was successfully controlled by the Dutch.

After that, the British entered Melaka and succeeded in seizing it from the Dutch in 1824. Then they took over the city of Melaka in 1942. Because it is rich in historical elements and cultural acculturation, it makes Melaka a unique and interesting city.

Therefore, if you have the opportunity to visit Melaka, you will be treated to a combination of Asian and European cultural views.

Tour the Portuguese Heritage Fort

One of the traces of the Portuguese in the city of Melaka can be seen from the existence of the A Famosa fort, whose remains still stand strong to this day. Built in 1511, this fort is the oldest in Southeast Asia.

A Famosa or its other name in Portuguese “Fortaleza de Malaca” was built by Alfonso de Albuquerque. In this fort, the Portuguese took full control of the city of Melaka and became their base for expanding their territories, including Indonesia.

According to existing historical records, in 1513 after the Portuguese occupied Melaka, there was a big battle where Pati Unus or Dipati Unus led an invasion against the Portuguese in Melaka to take over the city. At the age of 25, Pati Unus could be said to have succeeded with his first attack.

This war was one of the largest in Southeast Asia. The Pati Unus Fort continued its second attack in 1521, but unfortunately he died on the battlefield, forcing his troops to retreat and ending the war.

At that time, A Famosa was a majestic, spacious and formidable fortress. There are many towers in this fort, such as a hospital, church, and ammunition warehouse. If you count, this fort has stood strong for more than three centuries.

Portuguese power finally collapsed in 1641 after the Dutch succeeded in kicking the Portuguese out of Melaka. Then the Netherlands handed over its power to England at the end of the 18th century, which at that time almost fell into the hands of France during Napoleon’s expansion. The splendor of the A Famosa Melaka fort was lost to rubble when the British destroyed this fort in the 19th century.

The British ruler at that time, Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, ordered to stop the destruction of the fort. So, don’t be surprised if you visit here the surrounding buildings look very old and are no longer as intact as they were originally constructed. It is said that of the 4 existing entrances, now only one door remains, namely Porta de Santiago.

Inviting Back to the Past

Even though only one remains, the fort gate still stands strong and can be used as an interesting photo object. Gate A Famosa Melaka is called Porta de Santiago.

From the remains of the ruins, it is very clear that this fort holds a lot of memories and a long history. From A Fomasa we can see a beautiful view towards the sea. Try to be silent for a moment then close your eyes. Imagine the pieces of history in the fort and the sounds of cannons whose bullets were fired into the sea, killing many victims. How terrible it was at that time.

At the front, the gate looks like there are ornaments showing traces of fierce battles at that time. The Dutch made these ornaments after defeating the Portuguese with the help of the Sultanate of Johor and Aceh. By the Dutch, A Famosa was renovated by giving the ignia or symbol of Anno’s writing in 1670 to the arch of the Porta de Santiago gate.

Not only that, in the middle it looks like ornaments from Inca masks. Then above the arch of the gate there is also an ornament of the symbol of the Dutch East Indies trading company at that time.

Until now, Fort A Famosa Melaka is busy being visited by domestic and foreign tourists. So, there’s no harm in putting A Famosa on your next itinerary list .

Location of Fort A Famosa Melaka

If you visit Malaysia, try stopping by the A Famosa Melaka fort. Apart from increasing insight, this fort is cool enough to relieve fatigue. The location itself is on Jalan Parameswara, Bandar Hilir, Melaka.