Porta de Santiago
After the conquest of Malacca by Alfonso de Albuquerque in 1511, the Portuguese built the fortifications around the town. Bastiao Santiago was one of the 7 bastions that formed part of the fortress 'Fortaleza de Malacca.
Santiago Gate is the only vestige of what was once the strongest fortress in the region. The British in 1808 pulled down the walls of the fortress and only the intervention of Sir Stamford Raffles saved the gateway.
Above the lintel of the entrance of the gate was engraved the coat-of-arms of the King of Portugal, Dom Afonso Henrique. The Dutch who took Malacca in 1641, replaced the coat-of-arms with theirs.
Our appreciation to Mr. Jerry de Witt
for the above photos and explanation text.
Copyright- All photos in this site should not be copied or duplicated
without the expressed permission of Jerry de Witt and Dennis & Claudine
DeWitt.
