Dutch Square, Melaka

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This ornate fountain lies in the middle of the small square outside the Stadthuys and Christ Church. It was erected in 1904 by the people of Malacca to commemorate Her Majesty's 60th anniversary on the British throne (1837-1901).

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This clock tower outside the Stadthuys was given to the people of Malacca in 1886 by Mr Tan Jiak Kim to fulfil the wishes of his father, Tan Beng Swee, who was a third generation of a Chinese philantrophic millionaire family. Tan Beng Swee, was the son of Tan Kim Seng who donated both the bridge adjacent to the clocktower and land for the Chinese cemetery. The original clock was imported from England. When the clock was replaced by one from Seiko in 1982, it caused an uproar among the senior citizens of Malacca who still recall the harsh treatment they suffered during Japan occupation.

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The Malacca Town Square, also known as the Dutch Square, is one of the best recognised places in Malacca, almost a Malacca icon in the same mould as the Porta de Santiago. Around the Town Square are all the major Malacca landmarks. This includes the Tan Beng Swee Clock Tower, the Queen Victoria Diamond Jubilee Fountain, the old General Post Office (now the Youth Museum) and biggest of them all, the Stadthuys.

All the buildings here wear a coat of maroon paint, giving the square a decidedly foreign feel not found anywhere else in Malaysia. Unlike popular perception, however, the buildings were not originally painted maroon as you see today. Instead they were faced with bricks. When the authorities discovered the brick façade leaks, they covered it with plaster and painted it white. Later, in the 1920s, the British changed the colour to a bright salmon red. The present local authorities darkened the colour further, so now the buildings have a maroon colour.

Erected in 1886, it allowed the town folks to better keep track of time. Known as the Red Clock Tower or Tan Beng Swee clock tower, the original British clocks were replaced by a Japanese brand Seiko. Why? Guess maybe it worked better.

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Like what my mother would always say, old items are like fine wine. It never spoils! I bet you my mother must be talking about the Queen Victoria's fountain built in 1904. Built to commemorate Her Majesty's 60th anniversary on the British throne, the fountain design was what you'd expect to see in Europe, rather than in a lovely Malaysian town.

Well, if you're wondering what is written on the plaque, here're the wordings:-

Victoria Regina
1837-1901
Erected by the
people of Malacca
in memory of a
Great Queen
1904

The clock towers is located in Dutch Square but it is isn't actually one of the Dutch buildings. The tower was actually donated in 1886 by a millionaire long after the original Dutch buildings were constructed.

If you look behind and to the right of the tower you can just see the Christ Church which was built in 1753.

At the far right of the picture is the Stadthuys which was built between 1641 and 1660 and is believed to be the oldest Dutch building in the East. It was used as the town hall and governor's residence.

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This lovely square reflects the Dutch influence on Melaka and it is considered the central point of town. You will see Stadhuys, Christ Church as well as the clock tower, the fountain and the small windmill. The square is always crowded with tourists. This is the first place to start your tour in Melaka.

Situated next to the Malacca river. A Gothic style church with two tall towers. Built in 1849 Reverend Farve from France. This church is dedicated to Saint Francis Xavier, in his missionary work spreading Catholicism to South East Asia in 16th century. The statue of this Saint can be seen on Saint Paul's Hill [see my Saint Paul's must see activities]