Melaka and George Town Listed as UNESCO Cultural World Heritage Sites
July 9th, 2008
Has there been enough news on the great welcome for the historic cities Melaka (Malacca) and George Town being jointly inscribed as UNESCO Cultural World Heritage Sites? Ya I think whoever that read yesterday’s and today’s Malaysian papers will not miss out this news, as it has been covered quite extensively.
Melaka and George Town are jointly inscribed as historic cities of the Straits of Malacca, enjoying the fame of being the first cultural World Heritage Site in Malaysia. Even though these 2 historic cities are about 500km apart by driving distance, but being the earliest most-developed trading ports during foreign colonization age, they jointly mark the most important historical timeline of Malaysia.
Out of the 10 selection criteria of World Heritage Site, Melaka and George Town meet the following:
- to exhibit an important interchange of human values, over a span of time or within a cultural area of the world, on developments in architecture or technology, monumental arts, town-planning or landscape design;
- to bear a unique or at least exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition or to a civilization which is living or which has disappeared;
- to be an outstanding example of a type of building, architectural or technological ensemble or landscape which illustrates (a) significant stage(s) in human history;
Congratulation to all government and non-government organizations who have contributed to bring this wish into a reality. It has been a hard effort of 7 years, since 2001, before these sibling cities are successfully recognized by UNESCO for its heritage values.
In Melaka, the historical sites near the St Paul’s Hill, the 17th century Dutch Stadhuys buildings, Jonker Street with its Dutch-era buildings, Jalan Tukang Besi, Kampung Morten and Malacca River have been recognized as part of the world heritage sites.
I hope Melaka tourism promotion body will make full use of this recognition to uplift Melaka tourism sector to another glorious state, not by over commercializing the tourism opportunity, but further preserve and promote the heritage values of the Old Melaka. At the rate that the Old Melaka is converted into commercial outlets, I hope the unique building and architectural elements can be preserved. It’s quite sad to see the embossed words on building pillars, which was very common in olden days to serve as signage, being covered with modern signage boards as replacement.
Do you know that wall anchor is a unique feature which can only be found on old Dutch building?
Related External Links
- The Star: Joy as Malacca, George Town become cultural world heritage sites
- The Star: Unesco accepts George Town and Malacca as World Heritage Sites
- Melaka Chief Minister: UNESCO Iktiraf Melaka Bandaraya Warisan Dunia
Related Previous Posts
- Fireworks Display on 14th Apr at Dataran Bandaraya
- About
- Melaka River (Malacca River)
- Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum
- Jonker Walk Music Festival 2006
Entry Filed under: Historical Site, Latest News
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3 Comments Add your own
1. TW Kang | July 9th, 2008 at 7:03 pm
With all the hardwork from government, non-government agencies, friends of Melaka, webmasters and individuals who have done their little bit for Melaka in obtaining UNESCO World Heritage City Status with Georgetown in Penang, Melaka and Malaccans are being awarded with this world heritage status. For everyone involved, we will like to extend our big THANK YOU for a job well done. Without your effort, we will not have made it. Now, we have and so must our effort in welcoming new and old visitors to our city.
We need to strive harder as we need to maintain this status over the years. We need to preserve our heritage buildings, food heritage, cultural diversity and religious practices for the years ahead.
2. Dr. Arthur P.Y.M.ah. | July 11th, 2008 at 4:56 pm
What a feat ! …and what relief ! Now that Malacca is being noticed by the world Malaccans must not rest on their laurels ! There is more work to be done ! We must polish up our sense of community and work for rthe good of all and state ! We are stewards of a unique place, with its very own culture and idiosyncrasies ! We have our very own type of food and buildingas to call homes or workplaces. What a rich heritage which can only come about through years of colourful history. Now that the world recognises that our blend is a very special mix let us treasure and preserve it for generations to come . Last but not least, let it be known that we who are so very fortunate to be born in Malacca, are very proud to call ourselves “ANAK MELAKA” !
3. Gaurav kasera | July 22nd, 2008 at 2:45 pm
The historic cities Melaka (Malacca) and George Town .and its first cultural World Heritage Site in Malaysia .so its a intresting information for the asia regions.
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