Original Structure Of Kota Melaka Fortress Unearthed At Taman Larangan

MELAKA, June 18 (Bernama) -- The legendary Kota Melayu Melaka, long celebrated in historical accounts and Malay-Nusantara chronicles as a grand and formidable Malay fort city, has once again come to light following the discovery of the original alignment of the Bastion Hendrica Louisa wall at Bukit Melaka.

Registered archaeologist from the Department of National Heritage, Drs Mohd Nasruddin Rahman, said the discovery was made during an excavation at the base of the Taman Larangan stairs, located in front of the Melaka Sultanate Palace in Banda Hilir.

The uncovered structure is believed to be part of the original fort, which was later buried beneath new fortifications built by the Portuguese and later upgraded by the Dutch and British during the colonial period.

“This discovery is significant as it confirms the existence of the original Melaka Fort and helps trace the early layout of its walls. The remains include part of the Bastion Hendrica Louisa, which once served as a key southern defence point against attacks from both land and sea.

“Interestingly, the fort was also protected by a moat surrounding the outer wall, estimated to be about five metres wide and deep,” he told Bernama.

The excavation, carried out from May 22 to 30, also revealed structural features consistent with bastion designs found in 18th-century Dutch maps.

Drs Mohd Nasruddin stressed the importance of protecting the site from being lost to modern development, especially in the Banda Hilir area. He called for strong cooperation from the state government, the Melaka Museum Corporation (Perzim), the Department of National Heritage (JWN), and local authorities.

“This effort aligns with the vision of Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh, who is committed to ensuring that Melaka’s historical legacy is properly documented, preserved, and shared with the public to highlight the glory of the Melaka Sultanate before colonisation,” he said.

He also recommended further archaeological work to fully uncover the oval-shaped bastion wall and suggested partially reconstructing a section of the fort wall, similar to what was done at Middlesbrough Bastion.

“We could raise the site by about two feet to provide a clearer view of the wall’s alignment.

“I believe this archaeological site holds strong potential as a new heritage tourism destination in Melaka, especially for university students from Malaysia and abroad, as well as members of the public interested in experiencing archaeology firsthand,” he added.

-- BERNAMA