A Famosa — Attraction in Malacca

Structure of A'Famosa

In the 16th century A’Famosa housed the entire Portuguese administration, including its hospitals, five churches, elongated stockades and four key towers. One tower was a four-storey keep; the others were an ammunition storage room, captain’s residence and an officer’s quarters. The rest of the bastion comprised of townhouses clustered inside the fortress walls. The fort was expanded in 1586 to accommodate Malacca’s growing population.



Portuguese History

At the beginning of the 16th century, the Portuguese were establishing outposts in Macau, China and India in order to create a string of friendly ports for their ships plying the routes between China and Portugal. Malacca’s growing popularity meant that it was fast becoming an important link for Portugal to the Spice Route in China. In 1511 the Portuguese fleet, under the command of Alfonso de Albuquerque arrived and launched an attack on the armies of the Malacca Sultanate and defeated them.

Albuquerque moved swiftly to consolidate his gains by building a fortress around a hill near the sea. He used 1,500 slaves to construct A’Famosa as a stronghold to defend against foreign invasion.



Dutch History

In 1641 the Dutch wrested control of A’Famosa from the Portuguese and drove them out of the city. What remains is largely the Dutch reconstruction as they carried out renovation works in 1670, following the siege. To this day you can see a small inscription (ANNO 1670) on the fort’s arch as well as the coat-of-arms of the Dutch East India Company (VOC).

A’Famosa changed hands again when Malacca fell into British hands during expansionist Napoleonic times. Initially under the impression that the VOC was to act as a caretaker administration until a time when the Dutch were able to fully resume control, they had no idea the fort would soon be lost to them forever.



British History

Due to the fact that they offered too little and asked for too much, the Dutch forces soon lost the respect of their Malay subjects and in the early 19th century Malacca was fully conquered by the British. Wary of maintaining the fort, should it fall into enemy hands, the English ordered its destruction in 1806.

Fortunately, Sir Stamford Raffles (founder of Singapore) who was visiting Malacca in 1810 arrived in the nick of time. Due to his love of history he stepped in before the complete destruction of the old fortress. It was a close call though and the crumbling remains of Porta de Santiago, a small gate house, were all that could be salvaged from total destruction.

When work was undertaken on the Menara Taming Sari revolving tower in 2006, another part of the A’Famosa was discovered. As a result the revolving tower was relocated further inland and A’Famosa’s newly-discovered fortress walls were...

I am writing to inform you about a remarkable historical site in Malaysia that I believe would be of great interest to you. This prominent landmark is an old Portuguese fort, dating all the way back to the 1600s.

Situated in melaka, this historical site holds immense significance as it showcases the rich colonial history of Malaysia. The fort, which was originally established by the Portuguese during their rule, stands as a testament to the country's fascinating past. Many architectural elements and remnants of the fort's original construction have been well-preserved, providing visitors with a captivating glimpse into Malaysia's history.

Visiting this site is an opportunity to immerse yourself in the unique atmosphere of the 17th century and learn about the fort's historical background. The fort's strategic location offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape, making it an ideal destination for nature enthusiasts as well. With its serene ambiance and well-maintained surroundings, it is definitely worth adding to your list of must-visit places.

In addition to its historical significance and stunning views, the fort also hosts a range of informative exhibits and displays that delve into the history of Portuguese colonization in Malaysia. Visitors can explore the various chambers and rooms within the fort, each housing artifacts and documents that shed light on the past.

Furthermore, guided tours are available for those who prefer a more in-depth experience. These knowledgeable guides provide comprehensive insights into the fort's history, architecture, and the impact of Portuguese colonization in the region. It truly offers a unique opportunity to deepen your understanding of Malaysia's heritage and cultural heritage.

I highly recommend allocating time on your itinerary to visit this extraordinary historical site during your next trip to Malaysia. It will undoubtedly leave you with a profound appreciation for the country's history and cultural diversity.

If you require any further information or assistance regarding your visit, please do not hesitate to reach out. I would be more than happy to provide any additional details or answer any queries you may have.

Thank you for your attention, and I look forward to hearing about your experience at this remarkable...

In 1511, a Portuguese fleet arrived under the command of Afonso de Albuquerque. His forces attacked and defeated the armies of the Malacca Sultanate. Moving quickly to consolidate his gains, Albuquerque had the fortress built around a natural hill near the sea. Albuquerque believed that Malacca would become an important port linking Portugal to the Spice Route in China. At this time other Portuguese were establishing outposts in such places as Macau, China and Goa, India to create a string of friendly ports for ships heading to Ming China and returning home to Portugal.

The fortress once consisted of long ramparts and four major towers. One of the towers was a 60-m tall four-storey keep, known as A Famosa ('The Famous'), which was the tallest building in the region from 1512 until it was destroyed by the Dutch in 1641.Other parts of the fortress included an ammunition storage room, the residence of the captain, and an officers' quarters. There were also town houses inside the fortress walls. As Malacca's population expanded it outgrew the original fort and extensions were added around 1586.

The fort changed hands in 1641 when the Dutch drove the Portuguese out of Malacca The Dutch renovated the gate in 1670, which explains the logo "ANNO 1670" inscribed on the gate's arch. Above the arch is a bas-relief logo of the Dutch East India Company.

The fortress changed hands again in the late 18th century when the Dutch handed it over to the British to prevent it from falling into the hands of Napoleon's expansionist France. The English were wary of maintaining the fortification and ordered its destruction in 1806. The fort was almost totally demolished but for the timely intervention of Sir Stamford Raffles, the founder of modern Singapore, who was sent on sick leave from Penang to Malacca in 1807. It was Captain William Farquhar, tasked with the destruction of the fort and town, who decided to save two of the gateways to the fort, including the Santiago Gate, as well as the Stadthuys,...