The Church of St.Paul - Malacca

Buit in 1521 by Portuguese nobleman Duarte Coelho, the original church at the site was called Nossa Senhora da Annunciada, dedicated to the blessed Virgin Mary. Almost 30 years later, in 1548, it was deeded to the Society of Jesus and the deeds title was received by St. Francis Xavier, widely regarded as the Catholic missionary pioneer in Southeast Asia. Since then, it underwent several expansions including the addition of a second level and a bell tower. In 1592, a burial vault was opened where prominent individuals were laid to rest. When St. Francis Xavier passed away at sea in 1553, his body was kept at this church for a period of eight months until it was shipped to Goa. Only the walls of the old church, the bell tower and the statue of St. Francis Xavier remain standing today. In its long almost five-century history, this church became witness to the conquest of the Portuguese, the Dutch, and the British of the city, making it a significant historic site and one of the most popular tourist spots in Malacca. Because of its location, the church also offers a gorgeous view of the city and its shores. Tourists flock within the premises of the church, reading the tombstone inscriptions and taking pictures. Some locals choose to sell souvenirs inside and around the site. #family #vacay #groupie #grouptour