Written by Veronica |
Cathedral is known as “大三巴牌坊” in Chinese and “Ruínas de São Paulo” in Portuguese. It’s a remnant of the 17th-century Catholic Church of St. Paul in Macau, China. It was once the largest church in Asia and a component of the Jesuit College of St. Paul.
Tragically, a fire in 1835 ravaged the church, and today, only a stone façade and the 68 stone steps leading up to it are left. The magnificent façade has stood as a witness of the blend of Eastern and Western cultures in Macau.
On it, there are carvings and statues depicting symbolic elements such as Virgin Mary standing upon a dragon, a Chinese inscription, a Portuguese ship, and emblems associated with the Jesuit Order.
As one of Macau’s most renowned landmarks, Ruins of St. Paul’s is included in the Seven Wonders of Portuguese Origin in the World, as well as part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Historic Centre of Macau.
Fast Facts about Ruins of St. Paul’s Cathedral
- Location: on St. Paul’s Road (Rua de Sao Paulo), Macau, China
- Hours: all day for the façade; 09:00 to 18:00 for the Museum of Sacred Art and Crypt
- Ticket price: free
- Recommended visit time: about an hour
- Best time to visit: all year round
- Suited to: photographers and those interested in history, culture, and religion
History of Ruins of St. Paul
The predecessor of the cathedral was built in 1602 and finished in 1637 as part of the St. Paul College. But unfortunately, in 1595, 1601 and 1835, three big fires happened here, and the last one destroyed most part of the church. Only what we see today remained: the facade, the base and the stone steps in front of the cathedral. Since then, the ruins have been used as the cemetery to bury the priest for a long time. Until the 1990s, the Macau government started the systematic archaeological excavation and restoration of the site and built the Catholic Art Museum on the original site in 1996 to collect and display the religious artworks and cultural relics. In 2005, it was listed as a world heritage.
Architectural Features of the Ruins of St. Paul
Its overall architectural style is featured by Italian Baroque Style, meanwhile integrating the Renaissance style and eastern (Chinese and Japanese) elements. Its essence lies in the carvings on each storey of the facade. Below are the core elements of each storey.
- 1ststorey: Ionic order, the Latin character “MATER DEI” (the Virgin Mary of God) and the Jesuit emblem “IHS”.
- 2ndstorey: Bronze statues of the four Jesuit saints, Corinthian columns, windows and rose reliefs
- 3rdstorey: Statue of the Virgin Mary, angel, peony and chrysanthemum, Chinese doctrine
- 4thstorey: Statue of the Holy Infant Jesus, the relief of the crucifixion of Jesus, and the sorrowful angel
- 5thstorey: Triangular mountain flowers, copper doves (symbolizing the Holy Spirit), stone carvings of the sun, moon and stars, and crosses
Best Time to Visit Ruins of St. Paul’s Cathedral
The best time to travel to Macau and visit Ruins of St. Paul’s Cathedral is generally from October to December. During these months, the weather is cool, clear, and sunny with reduced rainfall.
It’s also the peak tourist season in Macau when exciting festivals and events take place, including Macau Food Festival, Macau International Music Festival, Macau Light Festival. But it’s important to note that traveling expenses may be higher and the city gets more crowded.
Spring, specifically from March to April, is also a good time to visit Macau. The weather is mild. Flowers start to bloom around the city. It is considered off season for tourism in Macau. You can avoid large crowds. However, it might get foggy occasionally.
How to Get to Ruins of St. Paul’s Cathedral
By plane: If you are flying to Macau, your destination will be Macau International Airport on Taipa Island. From there, you can take a bus or taxi to Ruins of St. Paul’s.
By ferry: If you’re traveling from Hong Kong, board a ferry to either Macau Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal or Taipa Ferry Terminal. The ferry journey usually takes around an hour and costs HK$170-200 ($22-26) for an economy-class ticket. Then take either a bus or taxi to Ruins of St. Paul’s.
By taxi: There are plenty of taxi services across Macau that will take you directly to Ruins of St. Paul’s from pretty much anywhere. The taxi fare is calculated based on a meter, with an initial charge of MOP 19 ($2.4) and an additional MOP 2 ($0.25) every 240 meters (787 feet). Moreover, there is a surcharge of MOP 3 ($0.38) per piece of luggage.
By bus: Buses NO. 8A, 18A, 18B, 18, 19, and 26 will all take you to Camoes Square, which is only a short walk from Ruins of St. Paul’s. The bus fare for each ride is about MOP 6 ($0.75). Additionally, some casinos and hotels offer free shuttle buses to Senado Square, which is nearby the ruins.
Attractions nearby Ruins of St. Paul’s Cathedral
- Monte Forte is the oldest fort in Macau. It was originally part of St. Paul’s Cathedral built in 1616 to defend the church from the pirates. It later became a military fort. Standing on its platform, you’ll have a great panoramic view over Macau.
- Na Tcha Temple is a small colorful Taoist temple honoring Chinese folk deity Na Tcha. It is close to Ruins of St. Paul’s. It’s interesting to see the contrast in size, architecture, and culture between the two structures.
- Senado Square has been Macao’s urban centre for centuries and is still the most popular venue for public events and celebrations today. Around the square are Portuguese-style pastel-coloured buildings with arched windows, doors, and corridors. Together with distinctive mosaic wavy tiled paving, the square has a Mediterranean atmosphere.
FAQs about the Ruins of St. Paul
What makes the Ruins of St. Paul’s so iconic and special?
Because it is a unique example of a combination of Chinese and Western culture, making it renowned as a three-dimensional Bible. It is the symbol of Macau as a hub for cultural exchanges between the East and the West.
What are the Ruins of St. Paul’s, and what was their original function?
It is the front wall of the St. Paul Cathedral and used to be the largest cathedral in the Far East Region with the function of preaching the religion, education and charity.
Why are there only the facade and steps remaining today?
It is because of a fire in 1835, only the facade and steps remained at that time.
Is there a museum or exhibit located behind the facade or on the site?
Behind the facade, a Catholic Art Museum and a coffin chamber were set to display the precious religious artworks and historical relics.
What is the best time of day to visit to avoid crowds?
In the early morning and in the evening, there are fewer tourists.
Are the Ruins of St. Paul’s part of a UNESCO World Heritage site?
Yes, it was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2005.
Plan Your Macau Trip with China Xian Tour
To have an in-depth Macau tour, a local guide will offer you great help. For example, when visiting the Ruins of St. Paul, the guide will introduce how it is restored. Besides, the guide can solve the problems you meet during shopping and ordering food. So how about traveling with China Xian Tour? We can arrange such a guide for you. And our trip is tailored for every tourist according to his specific needs. So the travel experience will be more satisfying. Do not hesitate to contact us.
Recommended Macau Tours
Plan your Macau trip now with China Xian Tour. We can help you with a customized tour to Ruins of St. Paul’s Cathedral.
