Continued from [the monkeys and fireflies of Kuala Selangor] [Putrajaya] and [Malacca at a glimpse]
A Famosa (“Kota a Famosa” or “The Famous”)
A Famosa was a fortress built in Malacca during the Portuguese occupancy. However, upon Dutch invasion and its subsequent hand over to British, its destruction was set. It was almost demolished when Stamford Raffles, founder of Singapore, intervened when he visited Malacca. Thanks to his passion for history, the Porta de Santiago (small gate) remains– from the used to be four major towers.
The fortress is not only popular among tourists, but especially to students who integrate lessons on field. During our visit to the equally interesting Mini-Malaysia (details on separate entry), we noticed a number of gradeschool students, too.
Plenty of steps away from Porta de Santiago is Saint Paul Hill. It was a little tiring to go up, but it was definitely worth the “climb” and breath gasps once you reached the summit.
On top of Saint Paul Hill, you will be rewarded with a refreshing view of Malacca.
I can just imagine that the coastline with the view of Eye of Malaysia is more striking at sunset and night.
~~~~~~
Saint Paul Church
Though this Church was named after the same patron saint for Ruins of Saint Paul in Macau, the embedded stories in the existence of Saint Paul Church were more intertwined.
Saint Paul Church is five to ten-minute walk from the summit of the hill.
During the Portuguese occupancy of Malacca, it served as a chapel which was named as “Nosa Senhora” – Our Lady of the Hill. But when the Dutch took over, it was temporarily used as a praying place while the Christ Church (details on preceding post) was under construction. Upon its completion, the church/chapel was renamed into Saint Paul Hill. It is interesting to note that while it is categorically called as Saint Paul Church, a statue of Saint Francis Xavier can be found infront.
(Saint Francis Xavier statue, with a missing right arm, infront of Saint Paul Church. It was not intentionally constructed that way. The completed statue was planned to be consecrated in the morning. However, a tree fell and broke off the statue’s right arm. )
The statue was built in remembrance of Saint Francis Xavier since Saint Paul Church was turned over to the Society of Jesus. St. Francis Xavier, as the pioneer Catholic Missionary that time. We were not able to visit the church dedicated for him, but here is a random snapshot I took while on the road.
Moreover, when Saint Francis Xavier died of fever, he was temporarily buried at an open grave in Saint Paul Church. The possibilities when you are not in a guided tour are you either appreciate things that you see in one place because you have done your research before traveling or the research/googling comes later and you try to connect the information to the photos you took and/or every element you observed. If you happen to be a clueless visitor, you will not have an instant appreciation that you are actually looking at the used to be grave of Saint Francis when you see this:
(Open grave where Saint Francis Xavier was buried for at least 8 months after he died in China)
Currently, the body of St. Francis Xavier is still on display at the Basilica of Bom Jesus in Goa, India. It is preserved in good condition (i.e. placed in a glass container encased in a silver casket since 1637). It is open to the public once every ten years. The right forearm (used to bless and baptize his converts), allegedly, was detached by Pr. Gen. Caludio Acquaviva. It is being displayed in a silver reliquary at the main Jesuit church in Rome. As a personal note, I think that it is an odd coincidence that his statue infront of Saint Paul Church has a missing arm as captioned in one of the photos above.
Not only that the renaming of the church happened upon the completion of Christ Church during Dutch invasion, it was also turned into a burial ground and graveyard. The intention happened even before the death of Saint Francis Xavier. During our visit, we noticed Dutch words engraved on the monumental tombstones like the following:
The bricks mirror the interesting blend of history and culture of Malacca. Much like in the Philippines, how one establishment was born, transformed by invasion – whether figuratively or physically.
Steps away from the hill are the museums of Governor, Literature, History and more. If you are intending to visit Malacca, which is a must, at least two days should be dedicated to cover the antique shops, savour the peranakan dishes, theme park, night zoo, and a lot more. What a small yet charming state of Malaysia.
Next entry: Taman Rama-Rama, Malacca, Malaysia
0 thoughts on “A Famosa (The Famous) and Saint Paul Church”
Daphne
Wow great shots. I’ve always wanted to visit Malacca but never had the chance. Now I’m able to admire it through your eyes. =)
LikeLike
witsandnuts
Thanks. It’s a nice place. It’s good it’s near to Philippines and Singapore (at least 2 hours by coach). I remember your sister is there.
LikeLike
Nebz
Love the photos. Made me wanted to visit Malaysia.
Nakakahiyang aminin: while I was reading your post and admiring the photos, I thought Malacca is somewhere in Latin America.
LikeLike
witsandnuts
I thought naman Malacca was in Mid East. 😉
LikeLike
upto6only
ganda. that place is similar to intramuros. i remember when i had the intramuros tour last year.
LikeLike
witsandnuts
The last time I’ve been to Intramuros was 2000 or 2001 pa yata. In Fort Santiago, in particular.
LikeLike
josiet
Great shots! Now I am itching to go to Malacca =)
LikeLike
witsandnuts
Thanks! Go with your family. They have theme parks there. EJ will enjoy it, too.
LikeLike
sheng
That’s really a nice place to visit, remind me of Cebu’s Fort San Pedro!
LikeLike
witsandnuts
I’ve never been to Fort San Pedro. But I remember reading about it in Dong Ho’s blog.
LikeLike
kayni
the students are so cute:).
like to upto6only, these photos also reminded me of intramuros. as always, wonderful narration and photos. thank you for sharing.
LikeLike
witsandnuts
Thanks, Kayni. The presence of the students made the visit more interesting and colorful.
LikeLike
Photo Cache
How long did you stay in Malacca? Where did you stay?
I love to hopefully see this place again, your photos just made me miss the place more.
LikeLike
witsandnuts
We stayed at most 5 hours. But my entries made it sound and look like more than a day eh? 😉
LikeLike
redlan
Thanks for bringing us to Malaysia. Dun ka pala nagbakasyon.
LikeLike
witsandnuts
You’re welcome. Spent most of the time in Singapore. The related posts will come soon.
LikeLike
ever
hi wits, ganda ng bakasyon mo.
i like your idea on taking pictures.. bista sa camera.:)
LikeLike
witsandnuts
Sulit yung bakasyon. Madami pang kasunod na entries, hehe.
LikeLike
dong ho
this aspect of malaysia is what i wanted to see. i also like sibu as it has some tracks of how Christianity has touched people’s lives there.
LikeLike
witsandnuts
I had to google Sibu when you mentioned it. An interesting place, too!
LikeLike
Lawstude
amazing place, mahilig din ako sa mga old ruins eh. nagcomplement pa yung effects mo, parang fish-eye 🙂
LikeLike
witsandnuts
My interests range from food court to historical places. Heehee. But ruins and museums never fail to fascinate me.
LikeLike
renin
You have great photos (as usual)… And this entry (as well as the preceding ones) is informative. You really had a good time. ^_^
LikeLike
witsandnuts
Thanks, Renin. It’s a pleasure to be a means to get readers informed.
LikeLike
PM
i am feeling the need to travel already. LOL thanks for this.
LikeLike
witsandnuts
Take a break, PM. 🙂
LikeLike
Nutmeg Publishing
Melaka – a UNESCO’s World Heritage site – is well depicted in this beautiful book entitled ‘Melaka from the Top, by Dennis De Witt and Published by Nutmeg Publishing. It contains many unique pictures of the historic town of Melaka in Malaysia. This book traces back and compare the transformation and development of the town of Melaka and its surroundings over the centuries. It is a collector’s item for anybody who has ever visited Melaka and it allows readers to see Melaka like never before – from the Top.
Visit: http://www.nutmegpublishing.com
Follow us: http://www.facebook.com/nutmegpublishing?v=wall
LikeLike