A day in Macau

Gone are the days of  Portuguese occupation in Macau, but even up to this day its influence is still evident.  With an example being in the food as  Portuguese cuisine is widely available aside from Chinese and other International cuisines. Some of its well preserved and renovated infrastructure and even its signage are written in Cantonese and English, but usually bears Portuguese language translation along with it.

Probably the most recognizable ruins in Macau  is The old Church of Mater Dei and St. Paul’s College that was built in 1602-1640. Its complex leaves imposing stone carvings and structural remnants with a facade that is commonly known as St. Paul’s Ruins.

Today, the Ruins of St. Paul are among the best landmarks and one of the most treasured icons in Macao that was built in a Chinese territory, under a Portuguese government. It was designed by an Italian architect, built partly by Japanese Christian exiles, with cobblestones from India, and visited by tourists from all over the world including a Filipino, like me.