Volume 18 Issue 1 » 29
The Sultan ’ s Palace is meticulously reconstructed . Inside , visitors view life-size renditions of the founding royal court and early warriors such as Hang Jebat .
The original Sultan ’ s palace stretches below St . Paul ’ s Hill . Rebuilt as a museum , this exotic wooden structure chronicles the culture of sultans and their Malay subjects . One gallery displays life-sized figures of Malacca ’ s founder and his royal court .
In a coffee shop off Dutch Square , Amir reviews the sultans ’ continuing roles in this region . “ Malaya royalty persisted during European and Japanese takeovers ,” he says . “ Following World War II , Britain helped sultanates establish independent countries . And in 1957 , Malacca joined twelve other sultanates and two territories , becoming part of the current Malaysian Federation .”
Off Heeren Street , known as Millionaire ’ s Row , we enter Baba & Nyonya Heritage Museum . Ceiling fans cool the afternoon air . “ Chen merchants created this lavish mansion in 1896 by merging three large townhouses ,” docent Lily explains . “ Precious heirlooms demonstrate the affluent lifestyle and multicultural outlook of ‘ straits-born ’ Chinese .” We look closely at their prized silverware . “ You ’ ll notice a blend of Chinese and Islamic engraved
designs ,” she smiles . “ And those yellow , pink , green and blue floral dishes are ceramic treasures custom-made in China .”
Escorting us up and down polished wooden stairs and through narrow hallways , Lily highlights each room ’ s priceless furnishings : painted Chinese silk wall hangings ; carved Malayan woodwork covered with gold leaf and inlaid with ivory ; lush , brocaded curtains , and lacquered wedding baskets . Pausing along the way , she shows us hidden peepholes … for spying !
Harmony Street takes us through centuries-old neighbourhoods . Street signs identify workers ’ trades . Aging smithies still ply their clanging craft along Blacksmith Street . Although goldsmiths left Goldsmith Street long ago , descendants remain . One family creates beaded satin house slippers . They also make boundfeet booties , which have been used for ten centuries to form girls ’ fashionably small feet . These tiny shoes have become pricey collectors ’ items .
Malaysia ’ s oldest Chinese and Hindu temples and the venerable Mosque border Temple Street . These religious centres reflect centuries of tolerance .
Carved stone lions guard Cheng Hoon Teng Temple . Glass and ceramic figures of legendary warriors , monsters , beneficent gods , and mystic creatures decorate swooping rooflines . “ Followers of Confucianism , Taoism and Buddhism worship here ,” Amir reports . “ The main prayer hall is dedicated to their goddess of mercy .”
Sumatran-style Kampung Kling Mosque features a pyramid-like , tiled green roof and pagoda-style minaret . “ Indian and Sumatran traders brought Islam in the 12th century ,” explains Amir . “ Two-thirds of Malaccans are now Muslim .”
Sri Poyyatha Moorthi Temple lies close by . “ The local Chitty community has managed this Hindu temple since the 15th century ,” confides Amir . At the doorway stands a priest in simple robes , face chalked with blue designs . The elderly Brahman invites us inside and shows us Ganesh , a sculpted