EXPLORAQUEST MELAKA - TANJUNG KLING MOSQUE - 21.2.2009

EXPLORAQUEST MELAKA - KLEBANG BESAR MOSQUE KLEBANG - 19.2.2009

History has it that Masjid Klebang Besar was built by the community living in the area around 1910. Timber was used as the first material and it was later renovated into a brick sturcture with assistance from the State Government

Like other old mosques in Melaka, Masjid Klebang Besar has a 3-tiered pyramidal shaped roof form and profound ridges. As in the case of the Tranquerah MosqueThe Masjid Klebang Besar also has a "snail-like" motif at the end of the ridge
Interestingly, the snail-like motif has a more curvaceous design compared to the one at Tranquerah Mosque

Another difference seen here between Masjid Klebang Besar and Tranquerah Mosque is the air circulation gap between the tiers

What's there to do?
1. Check out the otak-otak at Bert's Seafood Garden at Nerby Tanjung Kling
2. Check out the famous vanilla coconut shake
3. Check out the Melaka Club at Kampung Hailam
4. Check out the Hang Tuah Mousoleum

Now who says there's nothing to see and nothing to do in Melaka?

EXPLORAQUEST MELAKA - AL EHSAN MOSQUE IN LIMBONGAN - 19.2.2009

Usually a dome feature signals that a mosque is more recently build and this may be the case with Al Ehsan Mosque in Limbongan

It has a polygonal shaped minaret that has a large metal dome at the top




What's there to do?
1. Compare its features with the Tranquerah Mosque and the Masjid Klebang Besar Mosque
2. Check out the Melaka Gospel Chapel nearby
3. Check out the famous Limbongan Kueh Keria and have laksa too

Now who says there's nothing to see and nothing to do in Melaka?

EXPLORAQUEST MELAKA - TRANQUERAH MOSQUE - 19.2.2009

The Tranquerah Mosque was built in 1728 at the same time as the Kampung Hulu Mosque. It was originally built of timber and has had many restorations since.

As is with most historical mosques in Melaka, the roofs of the Tranquerah Mosque assimilated the pagoda form (level roof). The main roof has a pyramidal, hipped and pitched design. Pitched roofs are roofs with a slope or inclination of more than 15 degrees angle. Hipped roofs are where all sides slope downwards towards the wall because there are no gables. This design usually is square thus giving the pyramid shape of the top-most roof.

The architecture styles of most mosques built in the 18th century can be divided into two styles - the traditional and the vernacular (regional). The traditional means that the style is influenced by the designs of local Malay houses, their way of life and environment. The regional style as distinguished by the level or tiered roofs, decorative roof ridges and clay tiles, octagonal minarets and buildings which are square in shape are the result of regional influences. This is partly because some of the Malays are descendents of various ethnic groups from Indonesia eg. Malays of Javanese descent are from the island of Java and Malays of Bugis descent are from the island of Sulawesi (http://www.hbp.usm.my/conservation/SeminarPaper/PAPERRIYADH.html)

The ornamentation of Tranquerah Mosque are influenced by Malay, Sumatran and Chinese designs. The profound ridges are similar to the designs widely used in Chinese temples

The Tranquerah Mosque minaret is a polygonal shaped minaret with 6 tiers. The form of the minaret resembles a pagoda and suggest strong Chinese influence


The tier roof designs allows for air circulation gaps between each tier. However in the case of the Tranquerah Mosque, the gap is now sealed. Notice the unique "double" motifs on the ridge. The lower is a common design that is featured in a number of other mosques while the top spots an interesting "snail-like" motive. Co-incidently, this snail like motif on the ridge ending of the roof is also typical of many Chinese temple designs


Here's a sied view of the snail-like motif on the ridge. On this particular ridge, a metal ornament can be seen

What's there to do?
1. You might want t0 compare all the designs of mosques found along Jalan Tengkera to Klebang to Panjung Kling right up to Sg Udang
2. Discover who gave away Singapore to Sir Stamford Raffles on 6 February 1819?
3. Check out the famous "internationally knowned Limbongan Kueh Keria
4. Check out the famous vanilla coconut shake

Now who says there's nothing to see and nothing to do in Melaka?

EXPLORAQUEST MELAKA - MASJID JAMEK MOSQUE IN KG. DUYUNG ENROUTE TO HANG TUAH'S WELL - 17.2.2009

This mosque was completed in 1850 by the folks living in the area



The minaret tower is near similar to the Al Abrar Mosque in Semabok not far away. However, while it is a stainless steel dome minaret at the top of the Al Abrar minaret, the minaret top at Masjid Jamek is made from bricks and metal ornament


Masjid Jamek Kg. Duyung however has an additional roof which has a metal dome ornament at the top

What's there to do?
1. Check out the huge drum found at the left end of the entrance
2. Study the information on the Tourism Info Signboard to know its construction history
3. Visit Hang Tuah's Well
4. Tour Kampung Duyung traditional Malay houses

Now who says there's nothing to see and nothing to do in Melaka?

EXPLORAQUEST MELAKA - AL ABRAR MOSQUE IN SEMABOK - 17.2.2009

The Al Abrar mosque was built in 1905 on a land given by a Chinese trader named Kee Leng. It's former name is Semabok Mosque before it was renamed Al Abrar in 2000 by the then Mufti of Melaka, Datuk Hj. Mohamad Yunus bin Hj. Mohd. Yatim

This original architecture is similar to many of Melaka's ancient mosques such as the iconic Kampung Kling Mosque and Kampung Hulu Mosques

However, the Al Abrar's minaret stands out because of its colour and stainless steel dome ornaments



What's there to do?
1. Compare the minaret of Al Abrar with other mosques
2. Grab some photos
3. Visit the local Pawang (Faith healer) who lives infront of the mosque

Now who says there's nothing to see and nothing to do in Melaka?

EXPLORAQUEST MELAKA - KAMPUNG HULU MOSQUE - 11.2.2009

The Kampung Hulu Mosque is probably the oldest functioning mosque in Malaysia which is still located in its original site at the junction of Jalan Kampung Hulu and Jalan Masjid

At the front lies this faded sign board that originally displayed a traditional Malay pantun or "poetry" -
Cantik Sungguh Puteri Tun Teja
Dibawa Ke Melaka Si Tuah Bistari
Indah Sungguh Kota Melaka
Jika Sudi Datanglah Lagi

This is the inner view of the main hall of the mosque. The Kampung Hulu Mosque is built in the style of a Javanese mosque.

On steps lie a pair of mini cannons

And above the main entrance gate is a wooden hut with a traditional gong called a bedok.

What's there to do?
1. Check out the Chinese ornaments from the Qing Dynasty found in the roof and floor tiles
2. Learn more. Log on to - http://melayuonline.com/history/?a=UHNWL29QTS9VenVwRnRCb20%3D%3D&lang=English

Now who says there's nothing to see and nothing to do in Melaka?