The Stadthuys literally means 'town hall' in Dutch and located in Dutch Square. This is another historic landmark in Melaka and just a short walk from the Portuguese built A'Formosa. The Dutch had commercial interest in Melaka and were against the Portuguese for control of trade in the region. In 1640, the Dutch sent ships and troops based in Batavia (present day Jakarta, Indonesia) to capture the city from the Portuguese. The Dutch loss nearly 1,500 men trying to capture Melaka and finally succeeded in 1641 - poor blokes!
Though the Dutch succeeded in capturing Melaka, much of it was destroyed by artillery fire. Therefore the Dutch had to rebuild the city including administrative and commercial buildings, warehouses and residences - most of it within Dutch Square. The original colour of the buildings (during Dutch rule) was actually white but the British later painted the buildings red. Nobody knows the reason and many including myself thought it was the Dutch who painted it red.
Though the Dutch succeeded in capturing Melaka, much of it was destroyed by artillery fire. Therefore the Dutch had to rebuild the city including administrative and commercial buildings, warehouses and residences - most of it within Dutch Square. The original colour of the buildings (during Dutch rule) was actually white but the British later painted the buildings red. Nobody knows the reason and many including myself thought it was the Dutch who painted it red.
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| The Dutch built Stadthuys |
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| Christ Church |
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| Souvenir stalls beside the Stadthuys |
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| The Clock Tower besides the Stadthuys |
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