Oldest Catholic church
Still in use in Malaysia.
CEphoto, Uwe Aranas — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Gryffindor — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Jakub Hałun — CC BY 4.0 · Gryffindor — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Z thomas — CC0
The oldest Catholic church still in use in Malaysia, built in 1710 on land donated by a Dutch convert to Catholicism, after decades of restrictions on Catholics in Dutch Malacca, which eased once the Dutch allied with Portugal. Its style mixes European and local architecture: a white facade with a curving stepped gable, arched windows and doors, and a side bell tower bearing its date, while inside is a long hall of white columns under a dark timber ceiling. The facade appears white or cream in photographs depending on the latest repainting. The church is known for its Holy Week celebrations, when a candlelit procession draws thousands of Catholics from across Malaysia. Entry is free when it is open, and visitors are not admitted during services. It is about a kilometre north of Dutch Square, near Kampung Morten, so pass it on a walk among the city's colonial landmarks.
Still in use in Malaysia.
European and local style.
In Holy Week.
Jalan Bendahara, north of Malacca's old town
Kampung MortenA traditional Malay village on the bank of the Malacca River that seems to have 2 minutes walk
Bukit ChinaA wide green hill east of the old town, tied to one of Malacca's best-known stor7 minutes walk
Kampung Hulu Mosque, Malacca's OldestMalacca's oldest mosque and one of the oldest in all Malaysia, built around 17209 minutes walk
Hang Li Poh's Well (King's Well)The oldest well in Malaysia, dug in 1459 by the followers of the Chinese princes9 minutes walk
Poh San Teng TempleA small Chinese temple at the foot of Bukit China in Malacca, beside the King's 9 minutes walkThe main ones are the red Christ Church on Dutch Square, the twin-towered Church of St Francis Xavier, this St Peter's Church and the ruins of St Paul's Church on the hill.