Dutch Square (Stadthuys)

Dataran Belanda / Stadthuys

Built by the Dutch in 1650, one of the oldest Dutch-style building complexes in Southeast Asia. The brick-red town hall, Christ Church and clock tower are Malacca's signature landmarks.

Dutch Square is the central landmark of Malacca, and every building around it is painted brick red. The main building, Stadthuys (Dutch for town hall), was built around 1650 and is the oldest surviving Dutch colonial building in East Asia. It now houses the Malacca History and Ethnography Museum, with artifacts from the Malacca Sultanate to independence, Peranakan costumes and old photographs. Adult admission for foreign visitors is about RM 20. Next door, Christ Church, built in 1753, is the oldest Protestant church in Malaysia, and its interior keeps handmade wooden benches and Dutch tombstones. In the center of the square stand the Queen Victoria Fountain and a clock tower. By the river, trishaws decorated with cartoon figures, colored lights and music crowd together. Visiting tips: climb the steps from the square up St. Paul's Hill (10 minutes), then go down to A Famosa. This route is Malacca's classic half-hour heritage walk. Across the Malacca River bridge from the square is Jonker Street. Getting there: take bus 17 from Melaka Sentral Station, about 20 minutes, and get off at Stadthuys. Notes: the square is a gathering point for tour groups and gets crowded after 10 a.m. Agree on the fare and duration before boarding a trishaw. The museum stays open on Mondays, but some galleries are under renovation, so check the official website before you go.

Dutch Square (Stadthuys)

Opening hours

Nearby sights

Places to eat nearby