Architectural Treasures

Much of Macau’s appeal and charm comes from its Portuguese architecture, which was, until recently, being quietly left to rot away. Even the shortest of strolls through historic San Malo will unveil a host of buildings unrivaled in style or grandeur elsewhere in China. Many of them are churches, while the fringes of the peninsula are dominated by the architectural superlatives of the modern era, notably the Macau Tower, the Friendship and Taipa Bridges and the Kun Iam Statue.

Leal Senado, 163 Avenida de Almeida Ribeiro. Originally built in 1784, this whitewashed Portuguese building is one of the most prominent examples of Macau’s historic architecture. It takes its name from Macau’s loyalty (leal) to the true throne during the Spanish occupation and still looms large over the Largo do Senado. Inside there are beautifully tiled halls and courtyards, a contemporary exhibition center and an exquisite wood-paneled library. This high-ceilinged book trove has works dating back to the 17th century and is wonderfully calm after the hustle of the Largo do Senado over the road.

Ruins of St. Paul’s Basilica, Rua de Sao Paolo. This ghostly and imposing structure, looming over the old city, is rightly one of the most popular sights in Macau. The Basilica of St. Paul was originally built by the Jesuits in the early 17th century and was used as a training center before sending missionaries off into the “wilds” of mainland China. Its architecture represents a fusion of Eastern and Western styles and is unique in East Asia. Japanese craftsman were recruited to carve the classical religious scenes from stone, but the majority of the church was built from wood and only the façade survived a fire in 1835. Restoration and excavations in the early 1990s led to the opening of the Museum of Sacred Art directly behind the façade. The museum holds a small collection of relics, including bones of the followers of St. Francis Xavier.

Old City Walls, Rua de Sao Paolo. Just next to the Ruins of St. Paul’s you can see a short stretch of the old Portuguese city wall. The Portuguese constructed a wall around the city in 1569 and, while the project was never completed, it used to circle three-quarters of the city, although little remains today. Using a unique mix of clay, sand, soil, rice straw, crushed rocks and oyster shells (known as chunambo), the mixture was compacted into several layers, which you can still see.

Mount Fortress, Praceta do Museu de Macau. Even without its European-style fortress it’s worth climbing the hill for views over the city and, once you’re here, there’s also the Macau Museum to peruse. The Fortaleza do Monte was built by the Jesuits in 1617 to provide protection from invaders and it served as their headquarters. The fortress was reinforced by the Portuguese before becoming the official residence of the Governor of Macau. It subsequently housed a prison, army barracks, observatory and now a museum!

Guia Fortress, Chapel and Lighthouse, Estrada de Cacilhas. Standing at the top of Guia Hill, the Guia Fortress was constructed in the first half of the 17th century and offers aspects of Macau’s trio of principal historic themes – military, missionary and maritime.Within the fortress walls, the highest point of the hill is capped by a small, whitewashed chapel established by Clarist nuns and which contains an interesting blend of Chinese and Christian art. Next to the chapel is the quaint lighthouse, built by Carlos Vicente da Rocha and first operated in 1865. There are excellent views of the city from here and consequently it’s a popular spot for wedding photographs! You can get here by bus, a short, steep climb, or by cable car from Flora Gardens, followed by a short walk.

Kun Iam Statue, Avenida Dr. Sun Yatsen, Nape. Though hardly worth a trip in its own right, the graceful 66-foot-high bronze figure of Kun Iam, the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy, is worth checking out if you’re in the area. The statue, which was created by a Portuguese sculptor and cast in China, stands in a lotus flower, under which is a space for meditation. There are also good views of Taipa from here if the weather is willing.

Macau Tower, Largo da Torre de Macau. At over 1,100 feet, this is Macau’s tallest structure. The observation decks on the 55th and 61st floors offer unparalleled views out over Macau and, if the weather and smog permit, as far as the Chinese border. If you want to enjoy more than just the views, there are some truly breathtaking adventure sports options, including skyjumping, mast climbing and skywalking, run by the expert crew from A.J. Hackett. If you’d rather fill your stomach than lose it, the tower also boasts a number of cafés and restaurants. Two of these, the Café 180° and revolving Café 360°, located on the 59th and 64th floors respectively, will allow you to sate your appetite and do a bit of sightseeing at the same time. There are also a few shops, a movie theater and, this being Macau, plenty of slot machines.