CHINA MACAU -THE HISTORIC CENTRE OF MACAU (PART 2)

***KINDLY REFER TO CHINA MACAU -THE HISTORIC CENTRE OF MACAU (PART 1) HAS BEEN PUBLISHED ON 22 DECEMBER 2019

DESCRIPTION OF “THE HISTORIC CENTRE OF MACAU”

1.       A MA TEMPLE

A Ma Temple already existed before the city of Macau came into being. It consists of the Gat Pavilion, the Memorial Arch, and the Prayer Hall, the Hall of Benevolence, the Hall of Guanyin and Zhengjiao Chanlin ( a Buddhist pavilion) . The variety of pavilions dedicated to the worship of different deities in a single complex make A Ma Temple an exemplary representation of Chinese culture inspired by Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism and multiple folk beliefs.

2.       MOORISH BARRACK

Built in 1874, this building was constructed to accommodate an Indian regiment from Goa appointed to reinforce Macau’s police force. Now it serves as the headquarters of the Marine and Water Bureau. The Moorish Barracks is a distinctly neo-classical building integrating architectural elements of Moghul influence.

3.       LILAU SQUARE

The ground water of Lilau used to be the main source of natural spring water in Macau. The Portuguese popular phrase: “One who drinks from Lilau never forgets Macau” express the locals’ nostalgic attachment to Lilau Square. This area corresponds to one of the first Portuguese residential; quarters in Macau.

4.       MANDARIN’S HOUSE

Built before 1969, this was the traditional Chinese residential compound home of prominent Chinese literary figure Zheng Guanying . It is a traditional Chinese compound consisting of several courtyard houses, displaying a mix of Chinese and Western detailing, such as the use of grey bricks against arched ornamentations and Chinese timber lattice windows against mother –of-pearl window panels of Indian origin.

5.       ST LAWRENCE’S CHURCH

Built by the Jesuits in the mid-16^th century, this is one of the 3 oldest churches in Macau. Its present appearance and scale was acquired in 1846. Situated on the southern coastline of Macau overlooking the sea, families of Portuguese sailors used to gather on the front steps of the church to pray and wait for their return, hence it was given the name: Feng Shun Tang (Hall Of Soothing Winds). The neighborhood where the church is located used to be fairly wealthy, thus explaining the building’s scale and wealth of architectural treatment. It is a neo classical structure, with subtle Baroque decorative inspirations.

6.       ST JOSEPH ‘S SEMINARY AND CHURCH

Established in 1728, the old Seminary, together with St Paul’s College, was the principal base for the missionary work implanted in China,Japan and around the region St Joseph’s Seminary taught an academic curriculum equivalent to that of a university and in 1800 the Portuguese Queen Dona Maria I conferred on it the royal title of “ House of the Mission Congregation”. Adjacent to the Seminary is St Joseph’s Church , built in 1758 , an exemplary model of baroque architecture in China , as noted in UNESCO ‘s 2001 publication Atlas mundial de la arquitectura barroca.

7.       ST AUGUSTINE’S SQUARE

ST Augustine’s Square gathers various classified buildings, such as St Augustine’s Church, Dom Pedro V Theatre, St Joseph’s Seminary and Sir Robert Ho Tng Library. The cobblestone pavement unifies the area and reflects a traditionally Portuguese streetscape.

8.       DOM PEDRO V THEATRE

Built in 1860 as the first western style theatre in China with a seating capacity of 300, this has survived as a highly significant cultural landmark in the context of the local Macanese community and remains a venue for important public events and celebrations.

9.       SIR ROBERT HO TUNG LIBRARY

The building was constructed before 1894 and was originally the residence of Dona Carolina Cunha. Hong Kong businessman Sir Robert Ho Tung purchased it in 1918, using it as his retreat. In accordance with his will, the building was presented to the Macau government for conversion into a public library.