Church of Saint Paul, Malacca

Church of Saint Paul, Malacca tickets: which one to buy

The ruins of Saint Paul's Church stand on top of Saint Paul's Hill in the historic centre of Malacca, Malaysia, above the Dutch Square with its red buildings, and entry is free. The hill is reached by stairs from the Stadthuys or from the Porta de Santiago gate of the old Portuguese fortress, A Famosa, and the climb takes a few minutes. The ruins offer views over the city and the Strait of Malacca.

Walking tours of Malacca, a UNESCO World Heritage city, combine the church with Christ Church, the Stadthuys museum, the A Famosa gate, the Malacca Sultanate Palace Museum and Jonker Street. Buskers and souvenir sellers are often found at the top. The site is open at all hours, but it is best visited in daylight. Wear comfortable shoes for the steps. The steps up the hill start behind the Stadthuys, and the climb takes about five minutes.

Visiting Church of Saint Paul, Malacca: what to see

The church was built in 1521 by a Portuguese captain as a chapel dedicated to Our Lady of the Hill, Nossa Senhora do Oiteiro, and it was later enlarged and used by the Jesuits. Saint Francis Xavier, the Jesuit missionary, preached here several times, and after his death in China in 1552 his body was temporarily buried in the church for nine months before it was taken to Goa, where it rests today. An open grave inside the ruins marks the spot, and a white marble statue of the saint, erected in 1952, stands outside; its right hand broke off shortly after it was put up, which local legend connects with the removal of the saint's arm as a relic.

When the Dutch captured Malacca in 1641, they renamed the church Saint Paul's and used it until they built Christ Church below. Inside the roofless walls, large Dutch tombstones with coats of arms and inscriptions stand against the walls. The ruins' walls are built of laterite blocks and bricks, with arched openings looking out to the sea. A lighthouse built by the British stands beside the church. The tombstones inside include those of Dutch officials and their families, with coats of arms and Latin inscriptions. The open grave of Saint Francis Xavier is protected by a wire mesh, and visitors often throw coins into it. The hill was once the site of the Portuguese fortress's inner defences. Street musicians often play near the ruins in the evening.

Church of Saint Paul, Malacca opening hours and the best time to go

The ruins can be visited at any time, and the early morning and late afternoon are the most comfortable times, as Malacca is hot and humid all year. Sunset over the Strait of Malacca from the hill is beautiful. The rainy season from October to December brings heavy showers. The Jonker Street night market on Friday to Sunday evenings is a lively addition to a visit. The hill is busy with tour groups at weekends. Allow about twenty minutes for the ruins, and walk down to the A Famosa gate and the Dutch Square. The Malacca River Cruise, leaving from near the Dutch Square, passes old warehouses and murals on the riverbanks.