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Malacca ~ Portuguese Settlement & St.
Peter's Church
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> Portuguese Settlement That simple fishing village was originally known as Saint John's village and soon attracted additional Kristang and grew to become the uniquely known Portuguese settlement. The homes of the Portuguese settlement could pass for any kampung home of the Malay or Chinese communities at a quick glance. A keen observation however will reveal the Catholic motifs in their deco. Malaysian usually group them in a generally ethnic term called Eurasians.
One will also find authentic Portuguese restaurants at the square. When weekend hits, the square turns on its festive mood when the Portuguese community put on traditional dances, entertaining visitors and celebrating in their unique style and culture.
This festival is attended by
about 100,000 visitors from Malaysia and abroad. At the festival one can
hear Kristang folk songs and watch dancers in colourful costumes perform to
the rhythm of joget music.
Comprising an architectural mix of the Oriental and Occidental, it is built on Dutch donated land although the parish was predominantly of Portuguese descent. Inside you may still find tombstones beneath the pews and a life size figure of Jesus before the Resurrection. The oldest item in the church is the bell, manufactured in Goa in 1608. It was salvaged from an earlier church burned by the Dutch during their 1641 occupation.
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In
1933, 11 hectares of land at Malacca were purchased with the purpose of
creating a heaven for scattered Kristang and their culture. The swampy land
was cleared and 10 wooden houses with earth floors and attap roofs were
built. 
Perhaps
the right place that infers a strong affinity to Portugal would be 'Mini
Lisbon'. Located within the Portuguese Settlement, also known as the
'Portuguese Square, it is the culmination of Portuguese culture in its full
splendour and colours. 
Like
many other Portuguese-speaking communities around the world, the Portuguese
Settlement holds a yearly "June festival" that opens with Fiesta San Juan
("Feast of Saint John", June 24) and closes with Fiesta San Pedro ("Feast of
Saint Peter", the fishermen's patron saint, June 29).
St.
Peter's Church
