The Famous Kampung Mortem

A typical Malay village with an English name in the heart of Melaka (Malacca) city.

This typical Malay village is famously known as Kampung Mortem. It is surrounded by the concrete landscape of Melaka City and embraced by the Melaka River.

This is the place for you to discover, visit and feels the typical Malay village landscape within walking distance from Melaka City. You could see the traditional Malay house built on stilts, beautiful gardens and not to forget the swaying of the coconut trees!

Wonder how this Malay village got its unlikely Malay name?

Let me share with you. This village derives its English name “Mortem”from the State Commissioner of Lands, J. F. Mortem Esq. It is a token of appreciation when he approved the relocation project for the Malay village in the early 1920’. Prior to this, the folks lived in Kampung Jawa.

One of the houses in this Malay Village.

Aside from its English name, this village is also known as “Kampung Bahru” among the locals. Currently, there are about a hundred households still residing in this village.

If you want to get a sneek peak of one of this beautiful Malay house, just visit the Villa Sentosa. It is one of the houses in Kampung Mortem which has been converted into a private museum. Click here to read about Villa Sentosa.

How to get there?

The easiest way is you could either drive or walk along Jln Bunga Raya, just after Majestic Hotel, you could see the village. There’s a pedestrian bridge crossing the Melaka River and once you are there, you could take a casual stroll along the kampong streets and visit the museum.

Another road is via Jln Hang Tuah-right across the ocean supermarket and Courts Mammoth where an entrance leads to the village.

However, if only have time for quick glance, either walk along the path-way or take a leisure boat ride which passes by Kampung Mortem along its route. Personally, I think you would enjoy the scenery of the night boat ride when the whole village is lighted up with decorative light bulbs.

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