27 Kasım 2012 Salı

The Fort A Famosa: Malacca's Pride

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A Famosa, the famous name for one of the oldest surviving European fort in Asia situated in Melaka (Malacca). From what I have studied in the history class, the A Famosa was built by the famous Portuguese admiral Alfonso de Albuquerque after they defeated the Malacca Sultanate in the year 1511. Unknown to me until now, A Famosa actually means ‘The Famous’ in Portuguese. The fort changed hands in the year 1641 when the Dutch defeated the Portuguese. The gate was renovated in the year 1670 with a logo ANNO 1670 on the gate’s arch which represents the Dutch East India Company.
In the 19th century, the fort changed hands againwhen the Dutch handed it over to the British to prevent it from falling intothe hands of Napoleon? Hmm interesting facts although I have never learnedabout it in the history class. Since the maintenance of the fort was quite costly, thedestruction of the fortress was carried out in the year 1806. Fortunately,during the demolition period, Sir Stamford Raffles, who is the founder of theSingapore intervened it because of his passion for history. Thanks to him, thecurrent gate, Portade Santiago is what part of the remaining A Famosa.
The pride of Malacca, The Porta de Santiago of Fort A Famosa

More close up shot of the Porta de Santiago
The back view of the gate of A Famosa from the rear
The logo of the Dutch East India Company
A close-up shot of the wall of A Famosa, consumed by time~
                    


The old inside view of the A Famosa, 
And that's me with the left cannon of the A Famosa

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