The roofless ruin
A 1521 church, among the region's oldest European buildings.
Rudolph.A.furtado — Public domain · Marcin Konsek — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Marcin Konsek — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Marcin Konsek — CC BY-SA 4.0
The roofless ruin of a church on top of the hill overlooking old Malacca and the strait. The Portuguese built it in 1521, making it one of the oldest European buildings in Southeast Asia, and the Dutch later turned it into a burial ground for their notables when they built a new church below the hill, which is why huge carved Dutch tombstones line its walls today. Its greater fame is tied to the missionary Francis Xavier, who was buried here temporarily in 1553 before his remains were moved to India; his open grave is still inside the ruin, and a statue of him stands in front. The view from the top is what makes the climb worthwhile: the old town's rooftops, the river mouth, and the Strait of Malacca, once one of the most important trade routes in the world. You reach it by steps from behind A Famosa or from the Stadthuys square, a hot ten-minute climb. It is free and open, with little shade at the top, so early morning or just before sunset is far kinder. In the evening a few musicians sometimes play by the ruins, and the place turns quiet and lovely.
A 1521 church, among the region's oldest European buildings.
Huge carved gravestones lining the walls.
Old town, river mouth and the Strait of Malacca.
Summit of St Paul's Hill, Malacca
Stadthuys and Dutch SquareEverything around you is red: the Stadthuys, completed by the Dutch around 1650 2 minutes walk4.5
Melaka Sultanate Palace MuseumBefore the Portuguese arrived in 1511, Malacca was the capital of a Muslim sulta2 minutes walk4.3
A FamosaAll that remains of the oldest European fortress in Southeast Asia is a single s2 minutes walk4.3
Melaka River CruiseA boat ride of about forty-five minutes on the river Malacca grew up around, pas3 minutes walk4.2
Jonker Street Night MarketEvery Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening Jonker Street closes to cars and turns3 minutes walk4.4The steps are short but tiring in the heat, with no alternative. Anyone who struggles can stay in the Stadthuys square below while others climb in the morning.