RUINS OF SÃO PAULO

The ruins of the Church of São Paulo are Macau's most emblematic site, bearing witness to the city's Christian heritage. Built between 1602 and 1637 by Jesuits with the help of Japanese Christians fleeing persecution in Nagasaki, this collegiate church was the "largest Christian monument in Asia". It was used as an oratory for St. Paul's College, opened in 1594 to train missionaries. Consecrated in 1603, it was renowned for its beauty and received sumptuous gifts from European kings. Notable figures such as Matteo Ricci studied Chinese here before offering their services to the Ming court as astrologers and mathematicians.

The fire. In 1835, a terrible fire ravaged the church, leaving only its façade and monumental staircase. The blaze is thought to have been caused by a fire that started in the kitchens of St. Paul's College, probably as a result of the fireworks used for Chinese New Year. As the structure is made of wood, the flames spread rapidly.

The Baroquefaçade is adorned with sculptures representing Christian and Chinese symbols. The third level features a representation of Mary ascending to heaven (the Assumption), surrounded by angels, as well as symbolic flowers: the peony for China and the chrysanthemum for Japan. This mix of symbols testifies to the meeting of cultures, with a dragon ridden by the Virgin under the pediment. Today, the façade is surmounted by the Jerusalem cross, and the lower niches house bronze statues cast in Macao. You can enter the empty space that once made up the church, where the pillar locations are marked on the floor.

The Museum of Sacred Art and Crypt is located at the rear of the ruins (free access). It occupies the building that once housed the Collège Saint-Paul. This museum traces the city's history, highlighting the impact of Portuguese colonization. The varied exhibits include archaeological artifacts, historical documents and objets d'art, giving visitors a better understanding of the cultural richness of the region. At the far end, in a refined and magnificent crypt, lie the relics of martyrs from Japan and Vietnam.

The ruins of São Paulo, restored in 1991, attract large crowds, symbolizing the Christian heritage of Macau, where between 5 and 10% of the population is Christian today. The ruins of São Paulo, which stand proudly in the historic center, are a must-see on any visit to Macau.