So I was determined to visit the village during our recent trip to Melaka. After we check out from Riverside hotel, and with the permission of the Tourism officers who take care our trip, our guide took us to the popular Portugese settlement about 5km from the town.
( If you are coming from Dataran Pahlawan on Jalan Merdeka you can use Jalan Parameswara towards Ujong Pasir, then look for the sign on your right pointing to Portugese Settlement)
Our bus took less than 30 minutes to reach the village. It was Sunday noon, but the village look quiet. According to our guide, they probably out in the town, went to the sea or taking a nap..
The settlement is situated on the west of down town Melaka in the area known as Sungai Ujong, it was established by the British Residents in 1933.
More than 11 hectares of land next to the sea was turned into Portugese village and called as St.John village. Later it became bastion for those with Portugese descendents to preserve their religion, languge, culture and tradition.
Today, this village with more than 1000 Portugese Kristang descendants live here often called mini Lisbon. It comprises a few streets decorated and with typical Portugese names such as D'Alberquerque, Sequera, Eredia, D'Aranjo and Texeir.
Once a year in June the Portugese Settlements will be filled with food, music and dance and attracts visitors and tourist due to the celebration of the feast of St John (festival Senjuang) on 24th June and the feast of Saint Pedro on the 29th June.
Food became the top attraction became the top attraction for most visitors. The Sea Terrance Portugese settlement is one of the famous location for seafood in Melaka and often crowded with customers coming from everywhere. Portugese style ikan bakar and sambal ladies fingers is among the popular dishes served.
There is also a museum shows a collection of items of the history of the Portuguese community in Malaysia. Its open to public from Tuesday to Sunday at 10am onwards.
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