A Famosa (Portuguese for "The Famous") was built in 1511 by the Portuguese commander Afonso de Albuquerque following the conquest of the Melaka Sultanate. Constructed on a hill near the sea, it was originally a sprawling complex with a five-story keep and thick ramparts designed to protect the strategic spice trade route. The fortress changed hands to the Dutch in 1641 after a fierce battle. During their tenure, the Dutch repaired the gatehouse, adding the distinctive VOC emblem seen today. In the early 19th century, during the Napoleonic Wars, the Dutch handed Melaka to the British for safekeeping. Wary of its military potential, the British ordered the fort's total destruction in 1806. It was only through the last-minute intervention of Sir Stamford Raffles and Captain William Farquhar that the Porta de Santiago gate was saved from demolition. Today, it stands as one of the oldest surviving European architectural remains in Southeast Asia and is a key part of Melaka’s UNESCO World Heritage status.