St John’s Fort used to be a vantage point from which to defend Melaka from attack, situated on top of a small hill near the centre of Melaka. Today the hill attracts a small trickle of tourists and at the end of the day local people jog (or power walk) up and down the hill for exercise in the tropical heat.

Unfortunately at some point in the 20th Century a water tower was constructed right next to the fort. At the time the authorities clearly didn’t realise what impact it would have on this historic location and tourist attraction.