St. Paul's Hill & Church, located in the heart of Malacca City (Melaka) in Malaysia, is a historical colonial-era structure that stands on a hilltop featuring sweeping views of the city. This site was originally built by the Portuguese in 1521 as a small chapel and was later turned into a burial ground for noble dead by the Dutch, earning it the name 'St. Paul's Hill'. The church ruins are a testament to Melaka's rich historical fabric, which encompasses Portuguese, Dutch, and British colonial influences. The structure, although in ruins, continues to be an architectural and cultural relic, attracting visitors who are interested in the storied past of Melaka. Amidst the ancient walls and tombstones, the facade of the church maintains a stark and venerable appearance. It is a popular spot for tourists who also enjoy the panoramic views of the cityscape and the Straits of Melaka. The climb up the hill is punctuated with historical markers and is well worth the effort for the unique perspective it offers on the city's history and its contemporary vibrancy.
Located just a few metres up the hill from A Formosa, (the climb is fairly steep and in hot weather can be tiring) this is a church with great history - and free.
Anand1351
Wrote on 6th Apr, 2024
Nice and decent
Decent attraction for Malacca , views from top are nice and nothing much to see or do , not more than 30 minutes.
There is a free museum there - just need to write your name to enter, can spend 15 min..
Stairs were very steep. The view from the top of the hill was very beautiful. Souvenirs were quite overpriced and ‘meh’. The ‘church’ was just a ruin with multiple stone slabs. Overall, a very chill p..
It’s worth a visit to get an inkling of the size and scope of old Malacca. Useful to read up on it before you go as not much info on site.
DaddyistheBest
Wrote on 15th Jan, 2024
Oldest European structure in Southeast Asia!!
Much has been said about the historic value of the ruins of the church building (it's 500 years old!!), but for me, the many headstones with engravings in Dutch are a present day reminder (if needed) ..