Santiago Bastion, Malacca

Santiago Bastion (19 July, 2009)


Santiago Bastion (GPS: 2.1913, 102.24993), (Malay: Bastion Santiago; Portuguese: Baluerte de Santiago) is one of the bastions of Fortaleza de Malaca. Originally built by the Portuguese after it took over Malacca in 1511, the Santiago Bastion fell into the hands of the Dutch in 1641.

The Dutch repaired and strengthened it, but under the British, it was systematically demolished. The order to demolish the fort was carried out by William Farquhar in 1807, but when Stamford Raffles learned about the demolition, he managed to stop the action, through a strongly worded letter to Lord Minto.

Although the upper portion of the Santiago Bastion was destroyed, its foundation remains intact. This remains buried until 2002, when is was discovered during the construction of Warriors' Square (Padang Pahlawan). It is next to a sea wall erected by the British to check coastal erosion. The sea wall was built using stones salvaged from the ruins of the Malacca Fortress. With the discovery of the Santiago Bastion, construction of Padang Pahlawan was altered so as to preserve the remains.

The Museum & Antiquity Department initiated an excavation of the Santiago Bastion site in 2003, with the intention of locating the circle of laterite walls that form the foundation of the bastion. While some parts of it was found, the rest was hindered by the heap of ruins. The next phase of excavation was carried out in 2005, and systematic documentation was made of what was uncovered. Archaeologists were pleased to find that the circular wall of stones forming the foundation of Santiago Bastion was still there, but excavation came to an end due to water filling up the excavation area.

360° View of Santiago Bastion on Google Maps Street View

Santiago Bastion

Santiago Bastion is on the Map of Fortaleza de Malaca

Remains of Santiago Bastion within Fortaleza de malaca (19 July, 2009)


Santiago Bastion (19 July, 2009)

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