Fun things to do in Macao

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Mount Fortress, built in 1617-26, occupies a hilltop to the east of St. Paul' s ruins, and at easy walking distance from it. It was constructed by the Jesuits as part of a complex which also included the college and church of St. Paul' s.

The canons were used only once, when the Dutch invaded Macau in 1622. This was also the first residence of the governors of Macau.

Over the following decades trees grew from the platform of the fort, which was transformed into a public park where residents and visitors came to enjoy the views. The only building was an office of the Meteorological Department until 1998 when the three-level Macau Museum, focusing on the history of Macau, was built into the fortress hill.

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Older than Portuguese colonization, "A Ma" temple was accepted by the Portuguese, and respected as a reference of Chinese culture and religion.

Several pavilions climbing a steep hill are dedicated to different deities, attracting lots of Chinese devotes to ceremonies hard to understand by westerns.

The "Senado" square is paved with a wave-patterned mosaic of coloured stones, created by Portuguese experts.

From the main road to the church of St. Dominic, the pavement extends to the ruins of St. Paul's, making the heart of the city a pedestrian paradise.

More than S. Paulo ruins, this square is, for the Portuguese, the real visual reference of Macao.

St. Dominic's Church, in Senado's square, dates from the early 17th century.

It has an imposing facade of cream-coloured stone with white stucco mouldings and green-shutted windows. Inside, white pillars support a flat ceiling and apron balconies trim the walls. The great baroque altar contains a cream and white statue of the Virgin and Child and a painting of Christ. The church has a fine collection of exquisitely-carved ivory and wood saints.

St. Dominic's Church has a violently dramatic past. In 1644 a military officer who supported the Spanish against the Portuguese was murdered at the alter during Mass.

In 1707 the Dominicans sided with the Pope against Macau's bishop in the Rites Controversy. When local soldiers tried to enforce an excommunication order on them, the friars locked themselves in the church for three days and pelted the soldiers with stones.

In 1834 the monastic orders were suppressed and for a time the church was used by the government as barracks, stable and public works office.

St. Dominic's Church was renovated in 1997 and opened to the public with a museum, on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd floor. The museum shows paintings, sculptures and liturgical ornaments that illustrate the history of the Roman Catholic church in Asia.

The project of Kun Iam Ecumenical Center designed by a Portuguese Architect, Cristina Rocha Leiria, was planned for construction by Macau Government in 1997, while preparing the transition to Chinese sovereignty.

The big Kun Iam statue, of 20 meters suffered several modifications, but it keeps an oriental look according to the eyes of an European.

This church stands on the site of a chapel founded in 1558, the first to be built in Macau.

The history of the present building is explained on a plaque by the door: "Built in 1638. Burnt in 1809. Rebuilt in 1810. Burnt again in 1874. Repaired in 1875". However, there is a cross in the churchyard bearing the date of 1636. Another fire forced to another restoration in 1930 and further work was done on the facade and tower in 1940.

St Anthony is the Portuguese protector of marriages so the members of the Portuguese community selected this church for their wedding ceremonies. The sight of flowers was the base for the Chines name: Fa Vong Tong (Church of Flowers).

Standing in Lotus Square next to the Forum, the large sculpture of "Lotus Flower In Full Bloom" presented by the State Council of China in 1999, marks the return of sovereignty of Macau to China.

The sculpture, made of gilded bronze and weighting 6.5 tons, is 6 meters high and the diameter of the flower is 3.6 meters at maximum. The major part is composed of a stem, petals and pistil, with a total of 16 components. The base of the flower consists of 23 pieces of red granite.

The lotus flower, which is in full bloom, symbolizes the everlasting prosperity of Macau.

There are three layers of red granite at the base, which are in the shape of lotus leaves, signifying the Macau Peninsula, Taipa Island and Coloane Island.

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The former Portuguese governor's residence became in 1999 the official residence to the President of Regional Government.

No visible transformations were made, and the Portuguese colonial look is clear.