The Cathedral, Macao

A small wooden shrine from the 17Th century, was hundred years later transformed in a stone church, once again replaced by the actual building in 1937.

Discreet in the city, it has a beautiful decoration and it is one of the classified monuments that make Macao human heritage for UNESCO.

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Considerable less ornate than most of Macua's churches this largest of the churches is known for its stained glass windows. The bishop's house next door is in typical Colonial style and outshines the church it stands next to.

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The Cathedral, designed by J. T. da Aquino, was built in 1844-50 and reconstructed in 1938. It occupies the site of an earlier church of 1622 which was destroyed by a typhoon in 1836.

The building is of basilican type, with two sturdy towers and large, heavy doorways. The exterior is clad in Shanghai plaster, giving it a monolithic and subdued appearance. In a shrine above the chapel lie the relics of Japanese martyrs who died during the persecution of Christians in the early 17th century.

Open: 7.30-6.30pm.

Many of the major events of the church calendar focus on the Cathedral, especially at Easter when, in addition to the procession of Our Lord of the Passion, there is a solemn parade of Good Friday and special masses on Easter Sunday.