The Heart of Malacca: Red Square aka Dutch Square

The great ‘Spice Trade Route’ in the early 17th century which has discovered and colonised nations, plundered economies and resources and if I dare say exploited the citizens of the Indian subcontinent and South East Asia is perhaps one of the two biggest and longest trade route established in the world spanning four continents: Asia – Middle East – Africa – Europe.

I have to learn this in school, at least for the Philippines part being under the Spanish flag. I believe in the saying that we must not forget, but we can forgive and move on.

My parents in front of the Dutch Reformed Church now Christ Church on the Dutch / Red Square.

The Dutch Square in Melaka

Neighbouring Malaysia on the other hand had a much bloody ordeal being ransacked by not one but a group of feisty sailing European nations, first the Portuguese, then the Dutch and afterwards the British. The Spaniards I am sure would have intervened but they got lost in the Philippine Islands themselves. In Malacca, there are many Portuguese and Dutch historical fragments that remained today, many of which were actually from the Dutch period, such as the Red Square aka Dutch Square in the centre, the heart of the old historical Melaka.

The local government has managed to preserved and maintained the area very well. When we were there, they were busy renovating the Stadthuys building which was built on top of the Portuguese fort ruins between 1641 and 1660. The Stadthuys is now a history museum exhibiting the colonisation of Malacca by the Portuguese, Dutch and British. Stadthuys is Dutch for City Hall (Stadhuis), spelled in Middle Dutch language.

On this square you can clearly see Dutch architecture influence but with some Asian twists as well. In Dutch architecture, (red) brick is a key building block and this probably had something to do with the cold climate and abundance of resources for this building material in Europe. In order to create a holistic Dutch facade of the administrative buildings in Malacca, they managed to improvise and painted the buildings in red instead.

Market on the square. The Stadthuys is on the right (cannot be seen in picture) which I did not take a picture as it was covered in plastic and steel materials for its renovation project.

The flowers here are colourful bringing out the beauty of the historical buildings in the square.

Moi in front of the Christ Church taken by my mother. I am glad she only managed to tilt the church and not cut off my head in the picture =)

The roundabout in front of the Dutch square. Further ahead is Jonker Street or Jonker Walk.

The Queen Victoria Fountain, a touch of British on the Red Dutch Square. We have been telling my father since then NOT to frown during picture taking.

On the Dutch Square you will also find the flambouyant disco trishaws. These trishaws are the king of the road in Melaka.

Because the tropics are very hot (although I thought Malaysia was less humid than the Philippines), this sleeping man is a common sight in the streets.

The other very important and longest trade route that also span from east to west is the ‘Silk Route’: From China to Europe via four continents in between. I have been dreaming lately of the lovely cities in China that fall on this route, as well as the epic Trans-Mongolian and Siberian ride which I would love to do when the right time comes.

Travel Period: August 2013
Destination: Malacca (Malacca), Malaysia

Keep in touch and follow me on Facebook: Travel & Lifestyle Diaries by Dutched Pinay Travels
Happy Travels! Enjoy Life =)