PULAU PANGKOR (PERAK)

 

🏰 A Famosa – The Iconic Portuguese Fortress of Melaka

📍 Historical Landmark in Bandar Hilir, Melaka, Malaysia

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🏛️ Overview

• Built by: Portuguese in 1511 (led by Alfonso de Albuquerque)

• Name meaning: "The Famous" in Portuguese

• Purpose: Fort to defend Melaka after Portuguese captured it from the Malacca Sultanate

• Material: Mostly made of laterite stone and whitewashed walls

• Location: Near St. Paul’s Hill (Bukit St. Paul), Melaka City

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🧱 What Remains Today?

The only surviving part of A Famosa is the Porta de Santiago — a small stone gatehouse that stands as a powerful symbol of colonial history in Malaysia. The rest of the fort was destroyed in 1807 by the British.

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🕰️ Historical Timeline

• 1511 – Built by the Portuguese after they conquered Malacca

• 1641 – Dutch took over and renovated parts of the fort

• 1807 – British ordered the fort’s demolition, but Sir Stamford Raffles (founder of Singapore) saved the gate

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📸 Why Visit?

• A must-see for anyone interested in Malaysia’s colonial history

• Close to many other attractions: St. Paul’s Church ruins, Melaka Sultanate Palace Museum, and Jonker Street

• Great photo spot with historical value

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💡 Fun Fact

The original fort was huge, with four towers, cannons, living quarters, and storerooms. Today, Porta de Santiago remains one of the oldest surviving European structures in Asia.