San Francisco Garden

The Sao Francisco Garden is located along the Calcada dos Quarteis right in the center of Macao. Originally designed and built by Matias Soares, the garden is believed to be the oldest gardn in Macao.

Cleaning the San Francisco Garden 2010

Sao Francisco Garden dates back to 1580 when the Spanish Franciscan friars founded the convent nearby. By 1585 Portuguese friars replaced the Spaniards but the garden continued to be called ‘Ka Si La Fa Un’ or Garden of the Castilles (Spaniards).

San Francisco Garden Bus Stop - Colorful Chinese Pavilion Style

By 1920 most of the garden was lost. Only the old arches near Quarte de S Francisco, St. Francis Barracks, and several old trees remain.

San Francisco Garden

The 0.6 hectare garden is be divided into 3 layers and levels. On the hilltop is a circular building looking like a pigeon house. This bulding was renovated in 1939 by the government and dedicated to the soldiers of WWI. Today it is the office of the Association for the disabled.

In the lower level stands the Octagonal Pavilion of Chinese Architecture dating back to 1927. Originally built to improve the literacy of the locals, the pavilion eventually becme a wine store and snooker place.

Finally in 1948 the pavilion was bought out by Mr. Ho Yin and subsequently donated to the Chinese Chamber of Commerce. The Pavilion is a popular and busy library.

In 1989 a small ‘Wallace Fountain’ was built near the Pavilion.

A bust of Luis Gonzaga Gomes (1907-1976) Macanese writer and historian is located inside the garden.