Macau is known as a city famous for its casinos and luxury hotels. However, what is even more remarkable and valuable is the remaining facade of the ancient church.
St. Paul's Church, also known as "Mater Dei," was a Roman Catholic church built by Portuguese settlers and dedicated to the apostle Saint Paul. It was constructed in 1602 by Jesuit missionaries who had traveled to the East with the aim of spreading Catholicism. At that time, St. Paul's Church was one of the largest Catholic churches in Asia.
Most of the church’s structure was built of wood, except for the front façade, which was made of granite. That is why today only the front wall remains, after several devastating fires, with the final blaze occurring in 1835. The remaining façade features carvings of deities, demons, various symbols, crucifixes, Chinese dragons, sailing ships, and many other figures.
Today, it has become a museum after being restored between 1990 and 1995. It is now recognized as a symbol of Macau and a major tourist attraction where visitors can explore the roots of Catholic missionary history in the region.
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