Nestled within the historical heart of Melaka, Dutch Square, also known as Red Square, stands as a living testament to the city’s rich and diverse heritage. Join us on a journey through this vibrant and culturally significant square, where history, culture, and vivid architecture harmoniously converge.
The Legacy of Dutch Square
Dutch Influence: Dutch Square is a nod to Melaka’s colonial past. It’s named after the Dutch who ruled the city during the 17th century. The square is a living canvas of Dutch-inspired buildings and structures.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site: Dutch Square is part of the core zone of the Melaka and George Town Historic Cities of the Straits of Malacca, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its preservation is vital to understanding the region’s history.
The Iconic Windmill
The Stadthuys Windmill: One of the first things that captures your attention is the iconic red windmill at the center of the square. It’s a symbolic representation of the Dutch colonial period and serves as a picturesque backdrop for photos.
Photo Opportunities: Dutch Square’s vibrant buildings, red accents, and the windmill make it a favorite spot for photographers and travelers. The square’s colorful appearance, especially during the day, is a feast for the eyes.
Historical Monuments
The Stadthuys: At the heart of Dutch Square, The Stadthuys, or the Red Square’s Museum, stands as an imposing and well-preserved Dutch building. It houses a museum with exhibits that shed light on Melaka’s history.
Christ Church Melaka: Adjacent to The Stadthuys is the stunning Christ Church, an Anglican church built by the Dutch. Its striking red façade and beautiful interior make it a must-visit. Attend a service or explore its history.
Jonker Street Connection
Jonker Street Proximity: Dutch Square is located a stone’s throw away from Jonker Street, another famous attraction in Melaka. Exploring Dutch Square and Jonker Street in one day is a perfect way to soak in the city’s vibrant atmosphere.
Cultural Celebrations
Festive Ambiance: Dutch Square is often the center of cultural celebrations and events. During festivals and holidays, the square comes alive with performances, food stalls, and traditional music.
Chinese New Year Celebrations: The Chinese New Year is one of the best times to visit Dutch Square. The square is adorned with beautiful decorations, and traditional lion dances and cultural performances take place.
Practical Tips for Your Visit
Hydration and Sun Protection: Melaka’s climate can be quite hot. Be sure to stay hydrated and apply sun protection when exploring the square.
Visiting Hours: Dutch Square is open to the public throughout the day and night. However, some attractions within the square may have specific opening hours.
A Colorful Square with a Rich Heritage
Dutch Square, or Red Square, is more than just a square; it’s a living testament to Melaka’s diverse heritage. It’s a place where history, culture, and vivid architecture come together to create a colorful and culturally significant landmark.
Conclusion
Plan your visit to Dutch Square (Red Square) in Melaka and immerse yourself in the captivating history and vibrant culture that graces this iconic square. Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a culture explorer, or someone looking for a vibrant day out, Dutch Square offers a captivating journey through the heart of historic Melaka. Explore the square, capture its vibrant essence, and embrace the rich cultural significance of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Embrace the charm and history of Dutch Square in Melaka and let the vivid culture and architecture inspire your visit. – Onalulu
Tripadvisor: Dutch Square is a central and historically significant location in Melaka, known for its distinctive red buildings influenced by Dutch architecture. This area is a must-visit for tourists and is conveniently located within walking distance from other attractions such as Jonker Street and St. Paul hill. It features many decorated trishaws for tourists to ride and is surrounded by restaurants, drink stations, and souvenir shops. You can find more detailed information and reviews on Dutch Square’s Tripadvisor page.
Shellwanders: This blog post titled “9 Things You Can’t Miss at Dutch Square Melaka Malaysia” offers a personal account of visiting Dutch Square. It highlights several key attractions in the area, including Christ Church, the Queen Victoria Fountain, the Tan Beng Swee Clock Tower, and the Stadthuys. The post also mentions the unique street art and the opportunity to enjoy the Melaka River. You can read the blog post on Shellwanders’ website.
Holidify: This resource provides an overview of Dutch Square, detailing its historical significance and architectural features. The Square is surrounded by iconic red buildings and houses significant landmarks like the Queen Victoria Fountain, the Tan Beng Swee Clock Tower, the Stadthuys, Christ Church, and the Malaysia Youth Museum and Art Gallery. The area is popular for photography and souvenir shopping. More information can be found on Holidify’s website.
These resources offer comprehensive insights into the historical and cultural significance of Dutch Square, making it a top destination for those visiting Melaka.
I love the environment here. It was full of people, but I didn't have any feelings of discomfort. The surroundings were full of chilling vibes here. It was super amazing. The church was beautiful. I was just walking around, and I cannot resist coming here more often in the future. It was a wonderful place and wholesome experience for me. I guarantee I will come back again in the future for one more time. I 100% recommend visiting.
First time here, and the environment is really nice. All the uncles offering beca (trishaw) rides were super friendly and not pushy at all. There are plenty of souvenirs for sale. The weather was insanely hot though—definitely bring a hat and an umbrella. The street is impressively clean!
Dutch Square in Melaka is honestly such a charming and delightful place to visit! The highlight for me was definitely the colorful trishaws, all decorated with adorable cartoon characters like Doraemon, Pikachu, Hello Kitty, and more. They even play cheerful music as they ride along the streets – it makes the whole area feel so lively and fun!
Besides sightseeing and taking Instagram-worthy photos, you can also find lots of cute and affordable souvenirs – from keychains and fridge magnets to little handmade items. The people here are super friendly and sweet, always smiling and making you feel welcome.
If I ever get the chance, I’ll definitely come back to Dutch Square for another lovely visit!
The place is beautiful have many activities and for taking pictures in ancient area where colonial history is present,, its connected to main attraction like Jonker Streets, Museum Samundra, Palace of Sultan, A Fermosa ,, by working you can explore the place better to be at 09:00 am to start the day at Melaka,,
First time back in Malacca after a couple of decades and was pleasantly surprised. While missing the old Malacca, the new one is pretty cool. Now known as a World Heritage city, Malacca is spruced up.
Wandered around the Dutch (Red) Square (open to public anytime) at night and it is lighted up in colors. Pleasant to walk around and along the canal/river. You can get a river cruise as well (although you’ll have to check if they’re still open around 9pm- they do close early if customers are scarce once at night - not necessarily at specific time).
It is great to see kids are out, families wandering around, people just enjoying the night air. Although, if you have kids, still look out for cars as they do drive on the cobbled road. There are fewer on week nights, though.
The trishaws, lighted up and in with various characters plastered to them (eg. Pokémon characters or Disney characters). Some trishaws are equipped with very loud boombox drowning the area with any kind of songs you request (there must be a limited selection - hopefully).
On Friday evening till Sunday, there are night markets and these can get very crowded. So go on weeknights if you want some quiet and space. Go there during the day if you want to shop or eat (having desserts by the river).
The night time Dutch Square on a week night is for pleasant stroll or trishaw rides around the neighborhood to enjoy the lights.
GaMeR. BD
in the last weekI love the environment here. It was full of people, but I didn't have any feelings of discomfort. The surroundings were full of chilling vibes here. It was super amazing. The church was beautiful. I was just walking around, and I cannot resist coming here more often in the future. It was a wonderful place and wholesome experience for me. I guarantee I will come back again in the future for one more time. I 100% recommend visiting.
Anuar Rozman
in the last weekFirst time here, and the environment is really nice. All the uncles offering beca (trishaw) rides were super friendly and not pushy at all. There are plenty of souvenirs for sale. The weather was insanely hot though—definitely bring a hat and an umbrella. The street is impressively clean!
Anh Ngọc Nguyễn
a month agoDutch Square in Melaka is honestly such a charming and delightful place to visit! The highlight for me was definitely the colorful trishaws, all decorated with adorable cartoon characters like Doraemon, Pikachu, Hello Kitty, and more. They even play cheerful music as they ride along the streets – it makes the whole area feel so lively and fun! Besides sightseeing and taking Instagram-worthy photos, you can also find lots of cute and affordable souvenirs – from keychains and fridge magnets to little handmade items. The people here are super friendly and sweet, always smiling and making you feel welcome. If I ever get the chance, I’ll definitely come back to Dutch Square for another lovely visit!
Ali Shaah saiboni
a week agoThe place is beautiful have many activities and for taking pictures in ancient area where colonial history is present,, its connected to main attraction like Jonker Streets, Museum Samundra, Palace of Sultan, A Fermosa ,, by working you can explore the place better to be at 09:00 am to start the day at Melaka,,
a
in the last weekFirst time back in Malacca after a couple of decades and was pleasantly surprised. While missing the old Malacca, the new one is pretty cool. Now known as a World Heritage city, Malacca is spruced up. Wandered around the Dutch (Red) Square (open to public anytime) at night and it is lighted up in colors. Pleasant to walk around and along the canal/river. You can get a river cruise as well (although you’ll have to check if they’re still open around 9pm- they do close early if customers are scarce once at night - not necessarily at specific time). It is great to see kids are out, families wandering around, people just enjoying the night air. Although, if you have kids, still look out for cars as they do drive on the cobbled road. There are fewer on week nights, though. The trishaws, lighted up and in with various characters plastered to them (eg. Pokémon characters or Disney characters). Some trishaws are equipped with very loud boombox drowning the area with any kind of songs you request (there must be a limited selection - hopefully). On Friday evening till Sunday, there are night markets and these can get very crowded. So go on weeknights if you want some quiet and space. Go there during the day if you want to shop or eat (having desserts by the river). The night time Dutch Square on a week night is for pleasant stroll or trishaw rides around the neighborhood to enjoy the lights.