Ruinas de Sao Paulo, Macau 大三巴牌坊, 澳门
The baroque Ruinas de Sao Paulo is a veritable icon of Macau. The magnificent baroque facade of the former Jesuit Cathedral of Sao Paulo is Macau's most symbolic historical building and a major landmark. The facade is a "sermon in stone" that depicts some of the main events of the scriptures and the Assumption of Mary.
History
Standing dramatically at the top of a grand stone staircase, the surviving façade is all that remains of what was once the greatest Catholic church in East Asia. It consisted of St. Paul's College - the first Western-style university in East Asia - and the adjacent Church of St. Paul (aka Mater Dei). The college became a major center for missionary training.
The cathedral was built between 1602 and 1640 by the Jesuits with the help of Japanese Christian converts who fled to Macau to escape religious persecution in Japan in the 16th century. Some of these workers may also have been slaves.
Based on historical research, particularly studies by Lúcio de Sousa, the remains of approximately 250 Korean and Japanese slaves are buried near the Ruins of St. Paul's. These unfortunate individuals were victims of the Portuguese slave trade, which was active during the late 16th and early 17th centuries.
After the Jesuits were expelled from Macau in the 18th century, the building became a barracks until it was destroyed in a fire in 1835.
Restoration work carried out in the 1990's stopped the edifice from falling down. The former crypt and nave are now a small museum dedicated to Macau's many historic churches.
Architecture
The ruin is built from granite and rises five tiers high.
The architecture is a mix of European Renaissance and Baroque styles with Asian decorative influences. Intricate carvings depict biblical scenes, angels, saints, ships, Chinese dragons, and chrysanthemum motifs. Latin inscriptions alongside Chinese characters, symbolize cross-cultural exchange.
Address & Information
Rua de Sao Paulo, Macau.
Located on Rua de Sao Paulo, Macau in the historic centre of Macau, the ruin is about a 10 minute walk north from Senado Square among other heritage sites such as the Dom Pedro V Theatre, Macau Cathedral and St Lawrence's Church. The ruin is also close to Monte Fort (Fortaleza do Monte) and the Macau Museum.
Visitors can also reach the church by local bus: the number 18 stops at Rua Das Estalagens (a 6 minute walk away) or on foot as part of a walking tour of Macau's UNESCO-listed historic district.
Macau Essentials
- For cheap flights to Macau check elong.com. A lot of budget airlines (Bangkok Airways, Jetstar Asia, AirAsia, Tiger Airways etc.) fly to Macau.
Macau International Airport has flights to a number of international destinations worldwide including Bangkok, Manila, Seoul and Taiwan and to many other Chinese cities including Beijing, Guangzhou, Guilin, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Ningbo, Shanghai, Shantou, Xianmen and Xian. - Trains - for non-fliers the best option is to take a train to Hong Kong from Beijing West Railway Station and then a ferry to Macau.
Tip: A cheap / fast way to get from Beijing to Macau is to fly from Beijing to Shenzhen and then take a coach to Hong Kong. The flight from Beijing to Shenzhen is considered domestic and therefore much cheaper compared with flying to Hong Kong direct. - Buses and taxis are the major modes of public transport in Macau. Pedicabs are also available for sightseeing. Macau drives on the right, like the rest of China, except Hong Kong.
- Visas: most passport holders of Western countries receive a free 30 or 90-day visa on arrival. To re-enter China requires a multiple entry Chinese visa, or a valid single/double entry visa.
Accommodation in Macau
Grand Lapa Hotel
For those looking for a comfortable and family friendly hotel, then a hidden gem is the Grand Lapa Hotel which is located directly next to Fisherman's Wharf and the Sands Hotel.
The hotel has undergone a transformation and has elegant interiors as well as some newly renovated hotel rooms. The hotel also has a modern spa, gym facilities and a swimming pool which has a water slide as as well as an outdoor Jacuzzi.
The Grand Lapa Hotel also offers a whole host of organised activities for children so parents can have a break. In terms of dining, visitors can try the Cafe Bela Vista, Naam Thai restaurant and Kam Lai Heen Chinese restaurant. The hotel's breakfast buffet is also very famous and worth sampling.
Address: Grand Lapa, 956 - 1110 Avenida Da Amizade, Macau
Wynn Palace Hotel
For those looking for more glitz and glamour in terms of accommodation then they can book accommodation at one of the most over the top hotels in Macau, namely the Wynn Palace. An incredible and vast structure, not only does the interior mimic the exterior in term of glamour and opulence, the hotel boasts an incredible water show and its own cable car system.
The hotel has a famed buffet and also boasts some international acclaimed restaurants such as Sichuan Moon, SW Steakhouse and Japanese specialities at Mizumi. If visitors love shopping then the Wynn Esplanade is a shopping mecca spread over 106,000 square metres.
Address: Avenida Da Nave Desportiva, Cotai, Macau
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