The floating mosque
Seems to float on the sea at high tide.
CEphoto, Uwe Aranas — CC BY-SA 3.0 · CEphoto, Uwe Aranas — CC BY-SA 3.0 · CEphoto, Uwe Aranas — CC BY-SA 3.0 · CEphoto, Uwe Aranas — CC BY-SA 3.0
A mosque built on stilts over the water of the strait at the edge of a man-made island, so that at high tide it seems to float on the sea. Opened by the King of Malaysia in 2006, it quickly became one of the country's best-known and most photographed mosques, especially at sunset, when the sun goes down behind it into the Strait of Malacca. The architecture blends Malay and Middle Eastern styles, with a golden dome, stained-glass windows and a minaret around thirty metres tall that doubles as a lighthouse for ships. The walkway around the mosque on the water is the loveliest place to sit and watch the sunset. For Muslims the mosque is open for prayer at prayer times, and praying Maghrib here as the sun sinks into the sea is unforgettable. Non-Muslims visit outside prayer times in modest dress covering shoulders and knees, with women covering their hair. Entry is free. It is about five minutes by car from the old town, and it is best to arrive half an hour before sunset to find a spot on the walkway, as it fills up at that hour, especially at weekends.
Seems to float on the sea at high tide.
The sun setting behind the mosque into the strait.
A minaret that doubles as a lighthouse.
Malacca Island, Malacca
Menara Taming SariA round glass cabin holding around sixty-six people rises slowly up a column abo17 minutes walk4.5
A FamosaAll that remains of the oldest European fortress in Southeast Asia is a single s17 minutes walk4.3
Maritime Museum (Flor de la Mar)A huge sailing ship moored on the riverbank, a full-size replica of the Flor de 18 minutes walk4.3
St Paul's ChurchThe roofless ruin of a church on top of the hill overlooking old Malacca and the19 minutes walk4.5
Melaka River CruiseA boat ride of about forty-five minutes on the river Malacca grew up around, pas19 minutes walk4.2Half an hour before Maghrib, to pray as the sun sets into the sea and then see the mosque lit up. Come early at weekends, as the walkway gets crowded.