In the middle of the 16th century, the Portuguese began to settle and trade in the southwest area of the Macao peninsula. Macao subsequently developed into a main port. With its prosperity in international trading, Macao attracted more people to settle there from countries around the world.

These people brought:

• Different cultures
• Their social customs
• Religions to this area
• Built houses
• Built churches
• Built streets
• Built forts
• And even a cemetery

At the same time, these settlers introduced to their own countries, the cultures, religions and social customs of the Chinese people. Macao became the land where China meets the cultures of the western world. Today, millions of people come to the core part of Macau which is now called the Historic Centre of Macao.

In its Historic Centre, you will find the oldest and the best-preserved western-style buildings in China, in different architectural styles emerging after the Renaissance from Baroque to neo-classical.

The architects of these buildings added Indian and Chinese characteristics into their buildings; even the murals in the Guia Chapel were painted in Chinese style. The Chinese temples and residential buildings make this area very diverse.

Until today, people in this area have held their national beliefs and habits. They hold various celebrations to continue their different traditions and the combination of Chinese and Western cultures and elements.

You’ll note the alleys marked by porcelain street signs in Portuguese and Chinese characters – they are said to contain the oldest and most complete array of Western architectural legacy on Chinese soil today.

The Historic Centre of Macao mainly has Portuguese unreligious architectures, some churches, some Chinese residential and religious buildings and some streets and squares connecting them.

Some of the well known historic sites include:

• The Moorish Barracks
• The Dom Pdro V Theatre
• Sir Robert Ho Tung Library
• The Leal Senado Building
• The Holy House of Mercy
• The Section of the Old City Walls
• The Mount Fortress
• The Guia Fortress
• The Guia Lighthouse
• Lilau Square
• St. Laurence's Church
• St. Joseph's Seminary Building and Church
• St. Augustine's Church
• Cathedral Church
• St. Dominic's Church
• St. Paul's Ruins
• St. Anthony's Church
• The Protestant Cemetery
• The Guia Chapel
• The A-Ma Temple
• The Mandarin's House
• Sam Kai Vui Kun Temple
• And N Tcha Temple