Destinations - Far East - Malacca

Malacca (or Melaka) is Malaysia’s most historic city. Its origins can be traced to the 14th century with the founding of a fishing kampung (village) by a fugitive prince from Sumatra. Thanks to its strategic location on the Strait that bears its name, Malacca was from its earliest days an intermediary center of trade. Sheltered from the monsoons by the island of Sumatra, the settlement was perfectly located for merchants to take advantage of the trade winds. When Singapore was still a fishing village, Malacca had already achieved fame and, by the beginning of the 16th century, was the most important port in the region. Foreign merchants traded in Indian and Persian textiles, spices from the Moluccas, silk and porcelain from China as well as gold, pepper, camphor, sandalwood and tin.

The prosperity of Malacca attracted the Portuguese who ousted the Sultan and established themselves as the new lords under whose rule the city continued to thrive. In the mid-1600s, a Dutch blockade and a six-months siege of the city forced the surrender of the last Portuguese governor. Over the next hundred years, the Dutch carried out an extensive building program; some of the buildings still stand in Dutch Square.When the Dutch trade began to bother the English East India Company, England’s objective for control of Malacca was satisfied in the Treaty of London. In 1826, the port became a part of the British Straits Settlement along with Penang and Singapore. In the 19th century, Malacca faded into obscurity until the first rubber estate in Malaysia was established with some seedlings from Singapore’s Botanical Garden.The idea caught on among Chinese and European planters and Malacca soon became one of the country’s leading rubber producers.

Exploration of Malacca includes temples, churches, old Dutch houses and, close to the waterfront, a village of traditional Melakan houses. An interesting trail – called the Jerak Warison Heritage Trail - features many of the historic sights. Jonkers Street is renowned for its antique shops.

View all the cruises that call at Malacca, Far East cruise destination

Companies: Silversea Cruises, Seabourn Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, Star Clippers,

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