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A trip to Melaka will hardly miss out the historic landmark of Dutch Square as this area is one of the most picturesque spot for postcard. Dutch Square is also called Red Square as this area is surrounded by all the red or more precisely light maroon painted buildings, was formerly the center of Dutch administration. If you are coming from Ayer Keroh toll driving into downtown of Bandar Hilir, it will lead you to the one-way Laksamana Road where this famous Melaka icon is located opposite Melaka River. The buildings in Dutch Square were made of brick but during British administration, they were painted with salmon red to ease maintainability. The state government somehow has darken it a bit to be light maroon as what we see today.

Among these eye-catching buildings, Stadthuys is the largest building of them all. In old Dutch spelling, it is literally translated as 'town hall' and pronounced as 'stat-highs'. It was built between 1641 and 1660 as the residence for Dutch Governor and his deputy.


Next to Stadthuys is Christ Church. Christ Church was built in 1753 by Dutch is the oldest protestant church in Malaysia. Once you enter, Last Supper painting made of glazed tiles is visibly over the altar. The ceiling in the church is the most notable feature, whereby the beams over 15 m long each was made from a single tree.

Sandwiched between Christ Church and Laksamana Road is Malaysia Youth Museum & Art Gallery which was built in 1784 as Dutch Administrative Complex. In 1826, it was turned into a school (Malacca Free School). In 1920s, the building was renovated to be double-storey building and later used as a post office before converting into museum as what we see today.

If you are standing right at the entrance of Christ Church, there is an antique looking water fountain which is still functioning well. This is Queen Victoria's Fountain. It was completely built in 1901 by British to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee.

Another significant icon visible in Dutch Square is Red Clock Tower. It was erected in 1886 in honour of a generous Chinese tycoon named Tan Beng Swee. Some called it 'Tan Beng Swee Clock Tower'.

I found that the best photography location to capture the Red Clock Tower, Victoria Fountain and Christ Church is at first floor of Stadthuys building.  Below are the showcase. Compare with ground shots and tell me your preference.




Dutch Square obviously offers a photography footprints to make your trip to Melaka a memorable one!

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