Macau 1-Day Tour
World Heritage Flash: Ruins of St. Paul’s + Senado Square + A-Ma Temple
Day-by-Day Itinerary
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Ruins of St. Paul’s + Na Tcha Temple + Senado Square + A-Ma Temple + Pork Chop Bun Lunch
Ruins of St. Paul's (Temporarily Closed)
The Ruins of St. Paul's (Portuguese: Ruínas de São Paulo) are the remains of a 17th-century Catholic church complex in Macau, located in St. Anthony Parish. It includes St. Paul's College and St. Paul's Church (also known as the 'Church of Mater Dei'), a 17th-century Portuguese church dedicated to St. Paul the Apostle. Today, the Ruins of St. Paul's are one of Macau's most famous landmarks and were rated by the Portuguese government in 2010 as one of the Seven Wonders of Portuguese Origin in the World. In 2005, it was officially listed as part of the UNESCO World Heritage site 'Historic Centre of Macau'. The church was built by the Jesuits between 1602 and 1640, during which time Portugal and Spain were under a single crown, and was one of the largest Catholic churches in Asia at the time. On January 26, 1835, it was destroyed by fire during a typhoon. Mount Fortress overlooks the ruins. Today, only the stone facade of the ruins remains. The archway stands on a small hill, with 68 stone steps leading up to it. The facade is altar-shaped, with the theme of the Assumption of Mary. Influenced by the Japanese Christian artisans involved in its construction, the Ruins of St. Paul's contain carvings with pagan imagery derived from Asian traditions, including the Virgin Mary stepping on a seven-headed, nine-tailed dragon, accompanied by the Chinese description '圣母踏龙头' (Our Lady trampling the dragon's head). At the base of the structure are six stone-carved Chinese guardian lions. From 1990 to 1995, the Cultural Affairs Bureau of Macau excavated the ruins to study their history. Cellars and foundations were discovered, revealing the building's floor plan. Many religious artifacts and the remains of Chinese Christian martyrs and monks were also found, including Father Alessandro Valignano, founder of the Jesuit College in Macau. The Macau government restored the ruins as a museum, and the facade is now supported by concrete and steel to maintain its aesthetic integrity. A steel staircase once allowed visitors to climb to the top of the facade from behind, but for the sake of the church's preservation, visitors are no longer permitted to climb.
Na Tcha Temple
Na Tcha Temple, built in 1888, is a Chinese folk religion temple in Santo António Parish, Macau, dedicated to Na Tcha. In 2004, the temple became one of the designated attractions of the 'Historic Centre of Macau' on the UNESCO World Heritage List. This small traditional Chinese temple is a simple single-room building, 8.4 meters long and 4.51 meters wide. An entrance porch leads to the temple building, which is 5 meters deep. The building is painted grey and has little decoration, apart from paintings on the walls beneath the entrance porch. The temple's roof is five meters high and is a traditional hip-and-gable roof. Like traditional Chinese architecture, the Na Tcha Temple also features ceramic animal statues on its ridge. Located behind the Ruins of St. Paul's, the temple is one of the best manifestations of Macau's multicultural character.
Senado Square
Senado Square, commonly known as 'Fountain Square,' is one of Macau's four major squares, located in the central district of the Macau Peninsula, making it the central area of Macau. It is part of Macau's Historic Centre and has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The buildings surrounding the square are in a Neoclassical style, exuding a strong Southern European charm. The ground is paved with black and white cobblestones, forming a distinctive wave-like pattern. Senado Square is an important commercial and cultural activity center in Macau, and a popular spot for tourists to sightsee, shop, and enjoy local delicacies.
A-Ma Temple
A-Ma Temple is a temple located in the São Lourenço Parish of Macau, China, dedicated to Mazu, the Chinese sea goddess. Built in 1488, it is one of the oldest temples in Macau and is believed to be the origin of the name 'Macau'. In 2005, A-Ma Temple became part of the Historic Centre of Macau and was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
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