After four centuries of trading, plunder, conquests and turmoil, Malacca today is a real haven for holidaymakers.

Our story begins almost six centuries ago, when a refugee prince called Parameswara sought sanctuary in a humble fishing village on the West Coast of Malaysia. Enamoured by the hospitality of the simple folk, he decreed that a decreed that a city be built where he stood. The city was named Malacca after the abundance Malacca trees in the area. Over the years, Malacca rose in stature from a humble fishing village to become a prosperous and powerful trading port and eventually, an empire. Here, gold, silk, tea, opium, tobacco, perfumes and countless other items from nearby countries and from as far away as Europe and South America changed ships. The fame of this celebrated city spread far and wide and attracted conquerors like the Portuguese, Dutch, and the British Each conqueror wanted only one thing - monopoly of the spice trade. And as the conquerors plundered Malacca, the local pirates raided their cargo ships with such ferocity that they were feared far and wide. Today, the peaceful straits of Malacca attract a very different type of visitor. The international tourist.

Most visitors to Malaysia invariably end up visiting only the capital, Kuala Lumpur, on a whirlwind trip, before departing for other shores. Those that venture just a little further down the coast to Malacca are rewarded with the pleasure of discovering a city that's redolent of the pomp, pageantry and grace of a bygone era. A city that's more like a giant open-air museum, where each street has a tale or two to tell. Tales of conquest, valour, avarice and victory that are whispered by the buildings as you gently glide past them in a trishaw.

Malacca's first conquerors were the Portuguese. Intent on establishing themselves as quickly as possible in the area, the Portuguese went about the business of building forts, administrative buildings and churches with a vengeance. It was almost as though they wanted to convert the state of Malacca into an outpost of their homeland. The perfect example of this passion is the Portuguese Square or Mini Lisbon as it is also locally known, which is a living exhibit of Portuguese culture in its full splendour. St. Peter's Church on the other hand, is unique because it's construction is a fusion of both Oriental and Western styles of architecture. St. Paul's Church, built over 425 years ago on top of a hill in Malacca is now in ruins. This fine old church, in a sylvan setting was often visited by St. Francis Xavier. After his demise in China, St. Xavier's body was brought to St. Pauls' in Malacca, where it lay in state for nine months, before being transferred to Goa! Walk down the steps of St. Paul's and you'll come to another famous icon of Portuguese rule, the Porta di Santiago. This imposing gateway is the sole surviving relic of the fort built by Alfonso d'Albuquerque, when he first set foot on Malacca.

When the Dutch came, they took over from where the Portuguese had left off. An uneasy transition that resulted in many Portuguese buildings being strengthened or rebuilt to suit their own needs. St. John's Fort, once a private Portuguese chapel dedicated to St. John the Baptist, was rebuilt by the Dutch in the late 18th century. The fort has an interesting feature in that its gun embrasures face inland as during that time, attacks on Malacca came mainly from the hinterland instead of from the sea. Over the years, the Dutch strengthened their line of defense, protecting themselves from naval as well as ground -based attacks. One of their most impressive fortifications, built in 1757, lies on raised ground known as Bukit Supai or Sepoy's Hill. The fort overlooks the sea and is strategically placed to detect and repel attacks on the Dutch outpost.

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