Ruins of St. Paul's Cathedral

St. Paul’s Cathedral is the main architectural heritage of European architecture in Asia. It was located in the center of the Macau Peninsula, but was destroyed in a fire in 1835. Today, only the main facade with window openings and a central entrance and a fragment of the grand staircase leading to the cathedral remain from the magnificent temple. Despite the fact that the cathedral is actually only ruins, it makes a strong impression, contrasting with the rest of the traditional Chinese architecture of the city.

The cathedral was built in 1638 under the leadership of the Italian Jesuits. It was the main Christian temple of East Asia. Built of wood, it is a complex mix of Portuguese and Chinese architectural traditions. The five-storey building had three main entrances decorated with columns and bas-reliefs. The inner halls and galleries of the temple were completely covered with paintings, depicting angels and the deeds of the saints. On the third floor was the face of the Mother of God, on the fourth - the sculpture of Jesus, and on the fifth - the image of the Holy Trinity.

Despite the grandiose significance, after the fire, the cathedral decided not to restore. Macau then began to lose its authority and influence, ceding the primacy to Hong Kong. The surviving frescoes were transferred to the Macau Museum, and the remaining relics were given to monasteries. Only the surviving facade was restored. Bronze statues were restored in special niches and a Jerusalem cross towering above the central entrance.