Historic Center of Macao

Historic Center of Macao

Historic Center of Macao is the crystallization of Chinese and Western culture. It is a historical street area with a core of the ancient Macao city and composed of the bordering square and streets, including eight squares and 22 historical buildings.

The eight squares are: Barra Square, Lilau Square, St. Augustine s Square, Senado Square, Cathedral Square, St. Dominic's Square, Company of Jesus Square and Camoes Square; the 22 historical buildings include A-Ma Temple, Moorish Barracks, Madarin's House, St. Lawrence's Church, St. Joseph's Seminary and Church, Dom Pedro V Theatre, Sir Robert Ho Tung Library, St. Augustine s Church, "Leal Senado" Building, Sam Kai Vui Kun Temple (Kuan Tai Temple), Holy House of Mercy, Cathedral, Lou Kau Mansion, St. Dominic's Church, Ruins of St Paul's, Na Tcha Temple, Section of the Old City Walls, Mount Fortress, St. Anthony's Church, Casa Garden, Protestant Cemetery, Guia Fortress (including Guia Chapel & Lighthouse). Among them there is the first western university of China-College of St. Paul, the first western theatre of China, the first modern lighthouse on the coast of China, temples with Lingnan style and courtyards of the riches at the end of Qing Dynasty in ancient China.

Preserving the cultural essence of the west and China, the Historic Center of Macao is the oldest, largest and most concentrated historical city area in China where western buildings take up a larger proportion and the eastern and western buildings are intertwined with each other. The center is an important witness of the history when western religions were spred in China and the Far East Area. And it is especially a crystallization of Chinese and western culture. No matter it is in the past or today, the Historic Center of Macao is closely connected with the life and cultural traditions of Macao residence.