St. Paul's Hill & Church (Bukit St. Paul)
St. Paul's Hill & Church (Bukit St. Paul)
St. Paul's Hill & Church (Bukit St. Paul)
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The A' Famosa Fort and landmark St Paul's Church are two of the many attractions in this district.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
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wang2383
Longjing, Taichung72,182 contributions
Jul 2023
St. Paul's Church is a small church built in 1521 by a Portuguese general DUARTE COELHO. When the Dutch took over Malacca, it was renamed St. Paul's Church. CHRIST Church was built in 1753 and St. Paul's was abandoned. Later, the Dutch converted it into a cemetery for the burial of famous people. There is a tomb of St. Francis in St. Paul's Church because he often visited this chapel during his lifetime. He was buried here in 1553. Later, his body was moved to GOA, India. A marble statue of St. Francis was erected here to commemorate his stay and contribution more than 400 years ago. Standing on the church on the hill, you can overlook the entire city, and you can also see many distinctive Dutch tombstones here.
Written 22 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Valter M
Milan, Italy3,679 contributions
May 2024 • Solo
Church which is accessed via a staircase and from where you can enjoy an enviable panorama that caresses the whole city. You can admire the tomb and statue of Francesco Saverio. The ruins of St. Paul's Church are at the top of St. Paul's Hill. Built on the site of the last istana (palace) of the Malaccan sultan, it was built by the Portuguese passatelgo (noble) captain, Duarte Coelho, as a sign of gratitude to the Virgin Mary for saving his life during a storm at sea. St. Paul's Church was expanded to two stories in 1556 (after the Archbishop of Goa in India handed the church over to the Jesuits in 1548); between 1567 and 1596 the Portuguese added cannon turrets to the chapel and it became a fortress. In 1590 a bell tower was added to the front of the church and it was renamed Igreja de Madre de Deus (Church of the Mother of God). Subsequently, St. Paul's Church fell into disuse. Under British administration, a lighthouse was built which eventually became a storage facility for gunpowder. Roofless and covered in ferns, it was originally called Nossa Senhora da Annunciada (Our Lady of the Annunciation). Although it has been in ruins for over 150 years, it is a beautiful, airy sanctuary (reached after a steep flight of stairs) located near the remains of the A' Famosa fort. A marble statue of St. Francis Xavier, built in 1953, stands within the memorial complex of Malaysia's best-known missionary. Stories say that when Xavier was to be canonized in 1614, the Vatican required the right arm (this was the arm Francis used to bless his converts) from the body.
Written 2 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Explorer826060
5 contributions
Jul 2022 • Friends
Its a curious blend of Chinese origin traders and perhaps descendants of Portuguese and Dutch still live in the city. Food and music traditions prevail and most of the old city is now a tourist hub with churches and old buildings remnants of forts etc. The maritime museum is worth a visit.
The most interesting part is either side of the canal that is now wall art and restored buildings making it very vibrant and a pleasure to walk about. The night market is probably a big attraction into the night but didn't stay long enough to absorb all of it.
The most interesting part is either side of the canal that is now wall art and restored buildings making it very vibrant and a pleasure to walk about. The night market is probably a big attraction into the night but didn't stay long enough to absorb all of it.
Written 28 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jenny Y
Hong Kong, China47 contributions
Jan 2020
We arrived at St Paul's Hill in the afternoon after lunch. It was a very hot day and made the steep climb up the hill very exhausting. Unfortunately we didn't do our research and our guide did not warn us of the steepness of the hill as one of us found the climb difficult and had to stop many times to catch the breath.
Apart from this, the Church ruins is famous because it was the last resting place of St Francis Xavier before his body was taken to Goa as per his wishes. When he passed away it was the stormy monsoon season so they couldn't transport his body to Goa; therefore the body was kept here temporarily. There is a statue of him at the front of the church before entering it. This statue has a very interesting story to it - you can find out yourself or ask your guide! I don't want to spoil it for you! You'll be able to take some nice shots from the top of this hill so that's an added bonus to make it to the top!
My advice if you are coming to this place, is to do it in the morning on your arrival in Malacca, as the walk and climb up the hill will tire you out. After this it will be best if you went to a fully air-conditioned cafe or restaurant to rest before you carry on your tour of Malacca! Even the younger persons in our group were worn out after the climb which coupled with the very hot sun slowed us down a lot!
Apart from this, the Church ruins is famous because it was the last resting place of St Francis Xavier before his body was taken to Goa as per his wishes. When he passed away it was the stormy monsoon season so they couldn't transport his body to Goa; therefore the body was kept here temporarily. There is a statue of him at the front of the church before entering it. This statue has a very interesting story to it - you can find out yourself or ask your guide! I don't want to spoil it for you! You'll be able to take some nice shots from the top of this hill so that's an added bonus to make it to the top!
My advice if you are coming to this place, is to do it in the morning on your arrival in Malacca, as the walk and climb up the hill will tire you out. After this it will be best if you went to a fully air-conditioned cafe or restaurant to rest before you carry on your tour of Malacca! Even the younger persons in our group were worn out after the climb which coupled with the very hot sun slowed us down a lot!
Written 13 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CED
Hayling Island, UK217 contributions
Feb 2023
It’s a short but fairly steep climb to the top of the hill, but well worth the effort even if only for the view over Melaka to the sea. The church is not a total ruin as the walls are fairly well preserved. The sign boards give a clear understanding of the varying periods of use of the building. There are numerous well preserved tomb stones one of which commemorates Nicolaus Basly who ‘in his life was a free citizen’, indicating that others were not.
Written 26 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kiju98
Seoul, South Korea383 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
It's a short walk up from Holland Square.
Be careful if you are mowing near the path leading up. You may get hit by a falling stone.
Even though it is not very high, the wind blows gently and it is slightly cool.
The scenery is also nice.
Be careful if you are mowing near the path leading up. You may get hit by a falling stone.
Even though it is not very high, the wind blows gently and it is slightly cool.
The scenery is also nice.
Written 30 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AirFuss
Singapore, Singapore625 contributions
Dec 2019 • Family
A historical place to visit which has the ruins of old Portuguese church. Just behind A’Famosa fortress ruins. Has some photo shoot spots against the ancient walls of the church and also hosts views of the city and Melacca straits.
Written 5 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Docs On Vacay
Malaysia3,087 contributions
Jun 2022
The oldest church building in all of South-East Asia, originally built in 1521.
A 2-minute walk away from Kota A'Famosa.
Truly a beautiful historical spot; picturesque with lovely views.
A 2-minute walk away from Kota A'Famosa.
Truly a beautiful historical spot; picturesque with lovely views.
Written 23 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sarah Lewis
Harlow, UK919 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
St. Paul’s church is a short walk from Red Square up a (not too steep) hill.
The church, originally built in 1521 is in ruins and has no roof, but is worth the visit.
The church is renowned as the place where the body of Francis Xavier, a Catholic missionary of Southeast Asia, was laid to rest for a period after his death at sea.
An open grave in the church, now covered by a wire mesh, marks the place of Francis' temporary burial, later his remains were moved to Goa.
There are lots of engraved stones inside the ruins which are interesting, and the views from the hill are amazing.
The church, originally built in 1521 is in ruins and has no roof, but is worth the visit.
The church is renowned as the place where the body of Francis Xavier, a Catholic missionary of Southeast Asia, was laid to rest for a period after his death at sea.
An open grave in the church, now covered by a wire mesh, marks the place of Francis' temporary burial, later his remains were moved to Goa.
There are lots of engraved stones inside the ruins which are interesting, and the views from the hill are amazing.
Written 24 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jamo
43 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
A lot of tombstones of Dutch merchants and their families displayed in the ruins of an ancient Portuguese-built church. The tombstones are written in old Dutch and sometimes Latin. The lighthouse next to it was added by the British later on. Easy walk up the stairs from either the Dutch Graveyard, A Famosa or The Stadhuys. You could spend about 20-30 minutes here admiring the age old structure and tombstones
Written 18 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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