The Historic Center of Macao

Macao, as the West's first established gateway into China, was remarkable in setting off a succession of connections and contacts that progressively enriched both civilizations across a huge range of human endeavor, both tangible and intangible.

People of different nationalities came, bringing their own cultural traditions and professions, permeating the life of the city as can been seen in both intangible and tangible influences. This is evident in the introduction of foreign building typologies such as western-style fortresses and architecture.

Macao also inherited various cultural experiences and regional influences, further developing these in conjunction with the local Chinese culture and blending them to produce the rich texture seen in the city's exceptional heritage.

Meanwhile, "The Historic Center of Macao" coincides with the heart of the Western settlement area, also known as the "Christian City" in history. Exposure to diverse cultures in this lasting encounter between the Eastern and Western worlds has therefore benefited Macao in assimilating a rich array of cultural heritage.

 "Firsts" for China in Macao

During the late Ming (1368-1644) and early Qing (1644-1911) dynasties, missionaries from different European religious orders, such as the Jesuits, the Dominicans, the Augustinians, and the Franciscans, entered China through Macao. They made efforts to engage in missionary work and brought with them a certain cultural influence.

The missionaries introduced Western concepts of social welfare and founded the first Western-style hospitals, dispensaries, orphanages, and charitable organizations. Besides, they brought in the first movable-type printing press to be used on Chinese soil, and published the first paper in a foreign language.

As Macao was the base for the Jesuit mission in China and other parts of East Asia, Jesuit priests entering into China service would always come first to Macao where, at St. Paul's College, they would be trained in the Chinese language together with other areas of Chinese knowledge, including philosophy and comparative religion. Macao was thus the training ground for the Jesuit's mission to China and other parts of Asia.
St. Paul's College was the largest seminary in the Far East at the time, acclaimed as the first Western-style university in the region.

Other achievements of Christian missionaries in Macao include the production of the first English-Chinese Dictionary and the first Chinese translation of the Bible by Robert Morrison.

The worship of A-Ma in Macao originated with the folk beliefs of fishermen living along the coast of South China. Due to Macao's special position in channeling cultural exchanges between East and West, the A-Ma Temple has played a prominent role as the earliest reference to A-Ma worship abroad.

Strolling through "The Historic Center of Macao"

The A-Ma Temple is located on the southwestern tip of the Macao Peninsula overlooking Barra Square and the seashore. Around the corner of the A-Ma Temple is the Moorish Barracks situated on Barra Street. Further up the road, the narrow street suddenly opens onto Lilau Square, the first residential district of the Portuguese settlers in history where the Mandarin's House is just tucked behind the pastel fa?ades across the street.

Further up the road, Barra Street runs into Padre António Street and Louren?o Street where St. Lawrence's Church stands. Behind the church, Prata Street leads to the junction of S?o José Street where the grand entrance to St. Joseph's Seminary and Church is located.