The Most Beautiful Churches in Macau
Perhaps the last place you would expect to find beautiful European style churches is China. Colonised by the Portuguese, over 400 years ago, Catholicism was brought to Macau and many churches and convents built. Here are some of our favourites.
Chapel of Our Lady of Penha
Originally built in 1622 by Portuguese sailors that had escaped capture during a Dutch invasion attempt in Macau, the entire structure has since been rebuilt and today the church is exceptionally beautiful. It is surrounded by trees and flowered paths and is a popular site for wedding photos and a frequent backdrop for local TV shows and movies. It’s located at the top of Penha Hill and also offers arguably the best view in Macau.
Chapel of Our Lady of Penha, Hilltop of Penha Hill, Macau +853 2857 2801
1. St. Francis Xavier Church
Church
Built in 1928, this chapel is painted a brilliant yellow and white, and the baroque style facade follows the style of Macau’s major churches. The chapel contains some of the most sacred relics of Christian Asia, including the bone from the arm of St Francis Xavier, who did a lot of evangelical work in Asia in the 1500s. St Francis Xavier was well known for converting Japanese to Christianity and so many Japanese Christians visit the church today.
2. St. Lawrence’s Church
Church
Located on the southern coastline of Macau, it was built by the Jesuits in the mid-16th century and is one of the three oldest churches in Macau. It is thought, based on the Neo-classical architectural structure of the church, it was once considered the church of the affluent.
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