Bukit Melaka (St. Paul Hill), Forta de Santiago
St. Paul’s Hill was built in 1521 in gratitude to Virgin Mary.
The church is renowned as the place where the body of Francis Xavier was laid to rest for 8 months. The open grave in the church marks the place of Francis’ temporary burial.
St. Francis Xavieer was born in Spain in 1506. He died in 1552 before he could evangelisie China.
A legend tells how his ship was caught in storm in eastern Indonesia. He raised his crucifix in an attempt to calm the story. Unfortunately it slipped and fell into the sea. The next day, as his ship neared land, he was a crab with a cross-shaped mark, carrying his crucifix. Retrieving the cross, he blessed the crab. The Crab’s main body features bold wide dark lines and a distinctive white cross in the centre of its body.
