Celebrating Melaka: Heritage Houses, World UNESCO Heritage Sites, And More!
15th April 2021 marked the 32nd anniversary of Melaka being declared a historical city, offering us the perfect chance to explore the rich history behind this heritage city, and see what discerning home buyers can expect.
A Brief History Of Melaka
Melaka was established around the 14th century by Parameswara, a Sumatran prince.
From a coastal village, Melaka's strategic position allowed it to rise to great prominence, and soon it became a trading hub for merchants from India, the Arabian Peninsula, and China.
Over time, many Chinese migrants settled in Melaka, giving birth to the unique Peranakan culture that lives on to this day.
In 1511, Melaka – the centre of Asian trade at the time – was conquered by the Portuguese in what would become a 130-year rule.
This allowed the Portuguese to further dominate the global spice trade, and gain more influence globally.
Today, a walk through the Portuguese settlement in Ujong Pasir, Melaka, will reveal some of the lasting effects of the Portuguese occupation.
For example, Papia Kristang, or Kristang, is a creole language still spoken by the Eurasian community who are a mix of Portuguese and Malay ancestry.
By 1641, the Dutch, with the help of locals, permanently overthrew the Portuguese. The Dutch reign, which lasted almost 183 years, was the longest period Melaka was under foreign control!
Melaka Gains Historical City Status
Fast forward to 15th April 1989, Melaka with her rich history and properties was declared a historical city. The state observes the commemoration of this declaration with a public holiday each year.
Befitting the local acknowledgement of our incredible history, in July 2008, Melaka was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, along with George Town in Penang.
A World Heritage designation is meant for places that have outstanding universal value to humanity, and needs to be protected for future generations to appreciate, learn, and understand.
It’s easy to see why this small city is so celebrated, and highly regarded by the world as a place that needs to be protected.
Walking the streets of Melaka immediately transports you back in time with an abundance of historical sites and monuments, as well as heritage houses lining the roads.
If you’re on the hunt for a heritage property, or prefer living in a more modern environment set in a city with over 500 years of prominent global trade, Melaka is the place for you!
Melaka Property For Sale With A Slice Of History
This heritage city undoubtedly offers history buffs a great look into the past. Through the city’s conservation and preservation plans of these historical sites, we will be able to learn and enjoy them for years to come.
If you like the idea of living in or around neighbourhoods with a bit of colourful history attached to it, you’ve come to the right place.
1) Best Area For Professionals And Young Adults
Melaka Raya is known as the business side of town for its numerous banks and offices. Here, you can be sure to find lots of food options to tempt and spoil your tastebuds.
That includes everything from the usual local delights to foods that are more of an acquired taste like the Nyonya keluak curry. The variety of food found here is an adventure waiting to be explored.
This commercial hub also offers residents the convenience of amenities like a shopping mall, clinics, and hotels all in one area, making it an ideal place to own a home.
This is the perfect place for young professionals and adults looking for urban life on the edge of downtown. Bonus points for easy access to the wonderful Melaka Straits Mosque!
Properties of interest in this area:
2) Best Area For Youths
Living in Bandar Hilir, the heart of the city, you can expect to be located close to all the action. You'll find the historical Windmill Dutch Square, Christ Church Melaka, A Famosa, and St. Paul’s Church.
From heritage buildings and pre-war shophouses along Jonker Walk, to quaint cafes, bars, and restaurants, this bustling side of town has lots to offer the young and young-at-heart alike.
This is a great place to live if you want amenities on your doorstep, and heritage in your life, with the bustling joy of urban life ready for you to explore.
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3) Best Area For Young Families
Ujong Pasir is a great area for families looking for the vibrancy of a city with some old-school charm thrown into the mix.
Some of the amenities in the area include supermarkets, banks, clinics, kindergartens, and schools such as the 116-year-old Canossa Convent among others.
The Portuguese Settlement is where you can indulge in some authentic food that you’d be hard-pressed to find anywhere else in Malaysia, let alone the rest of the world.
Dishes like the fiery curry debal (Devil’s curry), beef semur, and the Portuguese version of keluak curry are sure to have you coming back for more! Needless to say, food can be found in abundance here.
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4) Best Area For Suburban Families
Choosing Ayer Keroh is easy for those who love the great outdoors, as this area boasts a variety of activities that make it a great place for those who enjoy being surrounded by nature.
Among the more notable places of interest include the Ayer Keroh Recreational Forest, The Melaka Zoo, Melaka Butterfly & Reptile Sanctuary, Mini Malaysia & ASEAN Cultural Park, and the Melaka Botanical Garden.
Many students living here attend tertiary institutions such as the Melaka-Manipal Medical College, Multimedia University, and Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka.
Here, you will also be close to the Melaka International Airport, Ayer Keroh Country Club, banks, a private hospital, and of course, lots of food options.
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5) Best Area For Expats
Klebang has a growing expat community working primarily in the petroleum and semiconductor industries.
This coastal town is popular for breathtaking sunset views along Klebang beach, making it an idyllic and serene place to call home, especially if your property overlooks the Straits of Melaka.
Expats with children will have great access to a number of local and international schools, as well as tertiary institutions.
On top of clinics and banks, you can choose to spend some quality family time at the Maritime Museum; for a whole load of arts and culture, immerse yourself in magical stage performances at Encore Melaka.
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Relevant Guide
As many of us continue to work from home and learn online, we’ve thrown open the idea of owning a home just about anywhere you can dream of.
We can increasingly afford to work or study remotely, without any worries of being tied to a physical workplace or learning institution.
That means a wonderful historical town like Melaka, set strategically along one of the most important and busiest straits in the world, could be just the choice for you!
Whether you’re looking for a luxury condo or house for sale in Melaka, this laidback city is a great option for those who want to move away from the madness of bigger cities, and carve out a beautiful easy-going life.
Relevant Guides:
