A Famosa Fort, Melaka
A Famosa was a Portuguese fortress built in 1512. Now mostly in ruins, visitors to the Dutch Square can see A Famosa as an integral part of the history of Melaka.
The fortress was controlled by the Portuguese from its construction through 1641. The Dutch took control of the fort from 1641 to 1795, leaving its mark on the area. In 1795, Britain became the controlling force and demolished most of the fortress in 1807.
All that remains of the fortress is a small gatehouse Santiago's Gate (Porta de Santiago), the City Hall, the church, and a restored bastion. It was once a five-story fortress with reinforced outer walls and four major towers. One of these towers was the tallest building in the area until 1641 when the tower was destroyed by Dutch forces.
These portions of the fort were restored from 2004 to 2006. Tourists may explore the gates and the bastion 24 hours a day.
The fortress was controlled by the Portuguese from its construction through 1641. The Dutch took control of the fort from 1641 to 1795, leaving its mark on the area. In 1795, Britain became the controlling force and demolished most of the fortress in 1807.
All that remains of the fortress is a small gatehouse Santiago's Gate (Porta de Santiago), the City Hall, the church, and a restored bastion. It was once a five-story fortress with reinforced outer walls and four major towers. One of these towers was the tallest building in the area until 1641 when the tower was destroyed by Dutch forces.
These portions of the fort were restored from 2004 to 2006. Tourists may explore the gates and the bastion 24 hours a day.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Melaka. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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A Famosa Fort on Map
Sight Name: A Famosa Fort
Sight Location: Melaka, Malaysia (See walking tours in Melaka)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Melaka, Malaysia (See walking tours in Melaka)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Melaka, Malaysia
Create Your Own Walk in Melaka
Creating your own self-guided walk in Melaka is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Melaka Old City Walking Tour
Rich in heritage, Melaka City is one of the most attractive tourist destinations in Malaysia. From its humble beginnings as a coastal village, it went on to witness the glorious tales of the Melaka Sultanate and later became the setting for the country’s colonial past with the Portuguese, Dutch and British leaving their mark on its tapestry. The history of Melaka is manifested in numerous... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles
Melaka Introduction Walking Tour
Melaka often spelled as Malacca, is the oldest Malaysian city on the Straits of Malacca. Melaka is a historic city that was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008.
According to legend, when Parameswara, the founder of Melaka, arrived here in the late 14th century. While he was resting under a tree known as a Melaka tree, he saw his warrior's hunting dogs being challenged and kicked... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
According to legend, when Parameswara, the founder of Melaka, arrived here in the late 14th century. While he was resting under a tree known as a Melaka tree, he saw his warrior's hunting dogs being challenged and kicked... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles