Ruins of St. Paul's
» Macau, Guang Dong

大三八牌坊,圣保罗教堂遗址 澳门的‘圣名之城’

Ruins de Sao Paulo

First constructed in 1580, St. Paul's Church caught fires in 1595 and 1601. However, reconstruction started in 1602 soon after the church was burnt down. Completed in 1637, the church became the biggest Catholic Church in East Asia at that time. Unfortunately, a violent typhoon hit Macau in 1835 and the church caught fire for the third time leaving its glory a history. According to historical materials, St Paul's Church, built with white stones, had a grand vaulted roof. It had three magnificently decorated halls.

Built with granites, St. Paul's Church has a baroque facade rich in ornamentation but with classic oriental characteristics. From the bottom up, the structure has five tiers. The first tier is comprised of ten Ionic columns with three entrances. The entrance in the middle has 'MATER DEI' carved into it. The two entrances on each side are decorated with bas-reliefs in the pattern of 'HIS.' The second tier features ten Corinthian columns with three windows. A Catholic saint is enshrined in each of four tabernacles between columns. The two tiers as a whole is said to represent the Society of Jesus and the activities of missionaries.

The remaining three tiers are the most decorated. The statue of Madonna stands in the middle of the third tier, while the statue of Jesus stands on the fourth. The walls are covered with bas-reliefs in various patterns like devils, angels, symbols of crucifixion, a Portuguese sailing ship, etc. The triangular combination of the upper three tiers reflects the Holy Trinity (the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit) as well as the Blessed Virgin Mary. A cross stands at the coping of the wall.

It is worth mentioning that the stone lions at the sides of the third and fourth tiers are distinctively Chinese. There are also bas-reliefs in designs of chrysanthemum and cherry, as well as Chinese inscriptions. The surviving facade has long been acknowledged as a perfect fusion of western and eastern cultures.

The Ruins of St. Paul's has been restored during 1990 and 1995. The Museum of Sacred Art and Crypt was also built at that time. It has exhibitions of religions artworks including paintings, sculptures and statues.

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Temple & Monastery

  Weather

  1. What to wear in different seasons here?

  Shopping

  1. Shopping precautions
  2. Where are some good places for souvenirs?

  Travel

  1. Where can I find art-related activities?

  Other Hints

  1. Is Macau a safe place?
  2. Health in Macau - endemic diseases and hospitals
  3. How's the Telecommunication in Macau?
  4. Is the tap water drinkable?
  5. Macau Hazards
  6. How many people are there in Macau and what language do they speak?
  7. Is tipping required in Macau?

  • What to wear in different seasons here?

    Cotton or light clothing is recommended for the summer. Woolen clothing and a topcoat may be required for the winter. Sweaters and jackets are sometimes necessary for the cooler evenings from March to May and September to November.


  • Shopping precautions

    • Be wary of strangers offering to sell items at unusually cheap prices. These people often loiter in the entrance halls of hotels and around the airport/seaport.

    • If a taxi driver offers unsolicited information about restaurants or stores, it's usually best to stick to your original plan as the driver may be seeking a longer cab fare or commission from the business.

    • Confirm the price and currency before paying. Normally prices are in Macau patacas (MOP). However, Hong Kong dollars and Chinese yuan are often used as well. For higher priced goods, consider the exchange rate if using the latter two currencies.

    • It's safest to shop in stores displaying signs that read 'Certified Shop' and 'Consumer Arbitration Centre.'If you want to purchase gold or jewelry, we recommend you go to jewelry stores displaying 'Standard Gold Guarantees,' which means you'll be paying for the quality you expect. Also, these stores are members of the Consumer Arbitration Centre, so if you have any disputes you can ask the center for assistance.


  • Where are some good places for souvenirs?

    Souvenirs are a must for travelers! In addition to stores in the scenic spots, we recommend going to museum stores. Often the quality of the items there is much higher. The type of item depends on the theme of the museum. For example, you'll find racing gifts at the Grand Prix Museum including books and videos on Formula 3, model race cars, stationary, and mugs. At the Maritime Museum, you'll find model ships and other seafaring items.

    For exquisite Chinese handiworks, we recommend the Cultural Club at Avenida de Almeida Ribeiro. The shop is beautifully arranged and the pieces are ideal souvenirs. The shop is also known for its fine collection of teas and tea accessories.


    • <li><h4><a name="answer9">Where can I find art-related activities?</a> </h4>
<p>Macau is a where the culture of the East meets the culture of West. It's a great place for an art lover! In addition to different art and cultural exhibitions, there are two large, annual activities C <b>Macau Arts Festival</b> and <b>Macau Fringe</b>.</p> 
<p><b>The Macau Arts Festival</b>, which is held in the first half of every year, has both theater and music. Many local and international performers participate every year. Be sure to check out the special local drama presented in the local patois dialect</p>
<p><b>Macau Fringe</b>, the other major art festivity, is held during the final three months of the year. Macau Fringe is a special festival organized to foster local art talent and promote the arts in general. There's a special theme every year and the exhibitions, workshops and art performances are based on that theme. The most important event is the Art Parade. Come and immerse yourself in the artistic atmosphere and festive mood of Macau! You may find some surprises!</p>


  • Is Macau a safe place?

    Macau is relatively a very safe place. However, one should be careful of pickpockets. There are police stations and reporting centers throughout the territory. For emergency, dial 999.


  • Health in Macau - endemic diseases and hospitals

    Since Macau's climate is mild, there are no endemic diseases. International Inoculation Certificates are normally not required unless cholera has been detected in either Hong Kong or Macau or in the area recently visited by the visitor.

    There are two hospitals in Macau with a total of 984 beds. Health centers are also available with seven in Macau, one in Taipa Island, and one in Coloane. All four and five star hotels have in-house medical facilities


  • How's the Telecommunication in Macau?

    Macau's local and international telecommunications services are of the highest international standard, using the latest digital technology operated by private companies. IDD calls are available to 219 countries. International fax, telex, telegraph, data, Internet access, and satellite TV services are available. Local and international private circuits may be leased for voice or data transmission. Local calls from private telephones are free.



  • Is tap water there drinkable?

    Macau's water supply is pumped directly from China and is purified with chlorine for extra protection. Tap water is safe for drinking while distilled drinking water is supplied in all hotel rooms and restaurants.


  • Macau Hazards

    1) Pollution

    Construction work is everywhere in Macau nowadays, with new casinos, hotels and apartment blocks, filling the air with dust. The floor is frequently coated with a layer of dust. Some people are wearing face masks.

    2) Noise

    It is almost impossible to find a quiet spot in Macau, except maybe parts of Coloane island.

    You can actually feel the floor shaking due to construction work around my apartment. [It is also disturbing to see large cracks along the pavement caused by the ground sinking more than 30cm in some parts. This and many parts of Macau are on reclaimed land.]

    At night, the pubs below my block sometimes attracts unruly people who quarrel and curse each other loudly. There are also car drivers who sound their horn persistently in the dead of the night because some idiot parked right in front of them, preventing them from leaving.

    It did not help to have a police station just a few blocks away.

    There is also an annual event called the Grand Prix, which is a great attraction or frustration depending on if you are a tourist or resident. During this multi-day event held in November, we can expect massive traffic jams to descend all over Macau.

    Although the bus services are all free during the event, it is scant comfort for the waiting, confusion (of bus route changes) and loud screeching sounds of the race cars.

    3) Mosquitoes

    They are everywhere, except during winter time. I find at least 3 in my apartment daily. It is quite a chore to hunt them down every night before I sleep so that I feel less itchy.

  • How many people are there in Macau and what language do they speak?

    There is a total population of 469,800 in Macau of which 95% are Chinese, the remaining 5% being Portuguese and other westerners. The majority resides on the Macau Peninsular. Both Chinese and Portuguese are the official languages in Macau. Cantonese is popular among residents and most people can understand Mandarin. English is also widely used on most occasions, especially in tourist areas.


  • Is tipping required in Macau?

    Although most hotels and restaurant will add a 10% service charge to bills, it is still customary to tip for meals. A 5% government tax is also charged on these bills

Built from 1582 to 1602 by the Jesuits, The Ruins of St. Paul's was the largest Catholic church in Asia at the time, and the royalty of Europe vied with each other to bestow upon the cathedral the best gifts. It stands adjacent to the famous Mount Fortress and Macau Museum. The front facade and the grand stone stairs are the only remains of the greatest church in Macau.

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