Top Macau Attractions
Macau Attractions: Baroque Catholic Churches
The Portuguese established the city of Macau in 1557 to be a trading post and a bastion of Christianity as well. Thus from the very beginning the fledging town was called "City of the Name of God, Macau". Immediately, the first priests started to build Catholic churches, initially of wood and matting, soon of rammed clay, and later of stone and plaster from the mid-17th century onwards.
Ruins of St Paul College St Paul's Mother of God Church was a 16th-century cathedral in Macau.
Macau Cathedral has a very long history. First built in 1576, it was originally a samll wooden structure.
St Dominic Church is one of the most beautiful churches in Macau. You will never miss this yellow and green Church right in the middle of Leal Senado plaza of Macau.
St Joseph Seminary Church was opened in 1758 as part of the Jesuit seminary of St. Joseph. St. Joseph is beautiful church and is a favorite subject for artists.
St. Francis Xavier in Coloane is a small chapel built in Portuguese color schemes of cream and white serves as background for classical oval windows and a small bell tower.
St. Lawrence or Sao Lorenzo Enter to appreciate the rich interior. Note the wooden ceiling in turquoise, white and gold beams, intricate woodwork and hanging chandeliers.
Guia Chapel and Lighthouse is a 17th century building and forms part of the Guia Fort; the altar of Guia Chapel has an image of the Virgin and a painting of Saint John the Baptist. The chapel is dedicated to Our Lady of the Snow.
St Augustine Church The facade was originally of Baroque style but the existing facade is more neoclassic dating from 1874.
Penha Church First built in 1622 the chapel was erected by the crew and passengers of a ship which had a narrow escape from the Dutch pirates.
St Anthony (Sao Antonio) is consider to be the very first church of Macau. The original church was built in 1588 tho the present church dates back to 1930.
St Lazarus or Sao Lazaro The Hermitage of Our Lady of Hope, also known as Santo Lazaro, was first built on this spot in 1570 outside the walls.
St Michael Chapel and Cemetery The pastel green and white walls and beautiful stain glass windows makes this a very charming chapel.
St James Chapel a tiny chapel built in 1740 inside the former Barra Fort which is now an architectural part of the Portuguese inn or Pousada.
St. Joseph the Worker has a side that faces China that resembles two opens arms as welcoming the Chinese to come to meet and to know Christ.
Chapel of Our Lady of Sorrows Overlooking the big garden in front of the Church is huge bronze crucifix over the north door.
St Francis (Parish) Church The interior is simple and tranquil with a modernist black marble altar. Windows open to pleasant courtyards and gardens.
Carmel Church Built in 1885, this church stands on a hill overlooking Taipa, Cotai and Coloane at the far distance.
Fatima Church This contemporay Catholic Church (c1968) is in the industrial Bairro Tamagnini Barbosa in the north of the city.
Morrison Chapel located near the Protestant cemetery where British and American graves recall the days of trading and naval presence in Macau.
Protestant Cemetery is a fascinating little cemetery filled with the graves of Protestants who either died or passed through Macau since 1814.
Macau Attractions
Chinese House - Lou Kau Mansion Constructed in grey brick, two-storey building typical Chinese house divided into a main hall with side wings.
Mandarin House is the former residence owned by eminent modern Chinese thinker Zheng Guanying and his father Zheng Wenrui.
Sir Robert Ho Tung Library was constructed before 1894, originally belonged to D. Carolina Cunha; was later bought by Sir Robert Ho Tung in 1918.
Dom Pedro V Theatre dates from 1860 the main facade adopting a neo-classical touch including pilasters and a pediment on the main facade.
Holy House of Mercy since its earliest days has devoted its work to the local community providing charitable assistance in the spirit of Christian fraternity.
Leal Senado Building Loyal Senate Building was erected in 1784 in the neo-classical architecture style.
Mount Fortress was built by the Jesuits in 1617 and completed in 1626 and was once a principal military facility and the city’s strongest defence point.
Guia Fortress and Lighthouse is the oldest lighthouse on the coast of China; equipped with sentry posts, ammunition depots and watchtowers
Moorish Barracks designed in 1871 by the Italian architect Cassuto to accommodate the Indian policemen.
Old City Walls built since 1632; the city was already well protected in the north, east and south with strategic military constructions.
Na Tcha Chinese Temple built in 1888 stands adjacent to the Ruins of St.Paul's, close to the remaining Section of the Old City walls.
A-Ma Temple This is the oldest of the three principal old temples of Macao. It already existed before the city of Macao came into being.
Sam Kai Vui Kun Temple was originally a guild house of the Sam Kai (Three Streets) Association established between 1723 and 1795.
Historic Centre | Walking Tours
Macau Attractions: Squares and Plazas
Leal Senado Square has always been the city centre. In the past, this was where the governors inspected military troops and the police force when they took up their posts.
St Dominic Square is the most popular plaza since it is right in the middle of everything.
Cathedral Square in front of the Cathedral of Macau has a very long history. The Cathedral square together with the church was first built in 1576.
Jesuit Square of St Paul located just below the towering facade ruins of the Jesuit church of the Mother of God, commonly known as St Paul.
St Augustine Square is cobbled in black and white in the Portuguese style and surrounded by the seminary, library, theater, church and houses.
Lilau Square is surrounded by Portuguese style buildings and is therefore an area representing Macao’s unique urban style and features.
Barra Square dating from the 19th century with many European-style buildings in this area and old beautiful Banyan trees.
Macau Attractions: Gardens
Casa Garden First built in 1770, originally the villa of a wealthy merchant then the English East India Company and residence for taipans.
Luis de Camoes Garden a memorial garden dedicated to Louis de Camoes, a famous Portuguese poet who lived four hundred years ago.
Comendador Ho Yin Garden features the Orient Arch and provides a quiet retreat with tree-shaded benches and tables for chess players, landscaped shrubberies, bamboo groves, a playground, and a small cafe.
Dr. Carlos d'Assumpção Park from Avenida de Amizade to the bronze Kun Iam statue features secluded arbours, avenues of palm trees, a children's playground, fountains, and ornamental ponds.
Garden of the Arts with flower gardens, fountains and statuary providing a pleasant, traffic-free walk back to the downtown area between the Cultural Centre and Hotel Lisboa, always along the water front, enjoying a changing panorama of Macau.
Flora Garden European-style at the base of Guia Hill which was formerly the grounds of the Flora Palace, an aristocratic Portuguese mansion.
Garden of Montanha Russa is a quiet retreat in the north of Macau, next to the New Protestant Cemetery. The name 'russa' comes from the Chinese word for a snail, which describes the small spiral path that winds up to the top of the hill.
Lou Lim Ieoc Garden is the most Chinese of all of Macau's gardens is the Lou Lim Ieoc Garden. It was built by a wealthy 19th century Chinese merchant, Lou Kau, and was inherited by his son Lou Lim Ieoc in 1906.
S. Francisco Garden is next to the pink and white S.Francisco barracks and Military Club, the garden consists of flower beds between wide paths which lead up to a fine double stone staircase. On the upper level is a round tower built to honour the combatants of the First World War
Macau Attractions: Temples
Na Tcha Chinese Temple was built in 1888 and dedicated to Na Cha in an attempt to halt the Plague rampaging at the time.
A-Ma Temple prayer halls, pavilions and courtyards built into the boulder-strewn hill and connected by winding paths through moon gates and tiny gardens.
Sam Kai Vui Kun Temple on the site of the old Macao bazaar, whose sign still exists. Originally it was a meeting place for merchants, and was very important to the local Chinese community.
Military Installations
Mount Fortress built in 1617-26, occupies a hilltop to the east of the ruins of St. Paul′ s. It was constructed by the Jesuits as part of a complex which also included the college and church of St. Paul′ s. The canons were used only once, when the Dutch invaded Macau in 1622.
Guia Fortress and Lighthouse built in 1637-38, occupies the top of Guia Hill, the highest point in Macau. It was designed to defend Macau from attacks from the sea, but because of its position overlooking the entire city, its chief value has been as an observation post.
Moorish Barracks designed in 1871 by the Italian architect Cassuto to accommodate the Indian policemen.
Old City Walls built since 1632; the city was already well protected in the north, east and south with strategic military constructions.
Fortress of S. Tiago da Barra Completed in 1629 on the site of an older cannon battery, Barra fort successfully protected the bar at the entrance to the Inner Harbour against the Dutch in 1622.
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