Entering this cathedral is the highlight of a day trip to Macau
After my third visit to Macau, I encountered a torrential downpour. So, I kept taking shelter from the rain at the Na Tcha Temple, the Macau Museum, and the churches. When I stepped into the Cathedral of the Nativity of Our Lady, the storm outside immediately dissipated, and I was enveloped by an atmosphere of tranquility, auspiciousness, brightness, and warmth.
🏛️【Background】
Unexpectedly, Macau, with an area of just over 30 square kilometers, is home to 17 churches. In 1575, the Catholic Church established a diocese in Macau. Hence, Macau is known as the 'City of the Holy Name' and became the center for the spread of Catholicism in the Far East.
The cathedral is the main church of the Catholic Diocese of Macau and holds a high status.
The church was originally built in 1567 as a small wooden structure. It was rebuilt and expanded in 1849, and again reconstructed in 1937 into a rammed-earth building, which gave it its current appearance. It was listed as a World Heritage Site in 2005.
🌟【Highlight】
The cathedral's light green base tone is complemented by shades of pale yellow, rose pink, and sea blue; stained glass windows, Portuguese wooden screens, and the church exudes a distinct Portuguese Mediterranean style. Interestingly, next to the statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe, there is also a statue of Guanyin. This is perhaps a reflection of the fusion of Eastern and Western cultures.
📍Detailed Address:
No. 1 Largo da Sé
the cathedral of the nativity of our lady macau open at 9:00 - 6:00 everyday and the annual catholic midnight mass held here
The cathedral, also known as the lobby, temple or Wangren Temple, is the Catholic Diocese of Macau, built in the first year of Ming Long Celebration (1567), originally a small wooden building. It is said that since the opening of the cathedral, the governor of Macau has been used to holding the inauguration ceremony. The lobby we see now is rebuilt again in 1937. The cathedral is in a stately and pure shape, with a beautiful stained glass in its interior, and a twin-tower building on both sides of the front, in neoclassical style. The Latin inscription at the entrance of the main entrance means "the present church is dedicated to the birth of the Virgin Mary".
I think that while the facade might not be that tremendously awesome, it still boasts of a nice heritage of the place. The interior of the church is more lovely, so do go in to take some nice pics, and spend some quiet time to pray too.Lovely church, and worth a visit!
The church is near the St. Paul scenic spot, and there are also attractions such as Lujia House nearby. This church 💒 has a certain representativeness in Macau.
The Catholic Church has always been the center of the Catholic Church in Macao. The annual grandest Midnight Mass of Catholicism and the large-scale activities such as the Sacred Pilgrimage of Jesus are also carried out here. It is the most dignified symbol of the Church in Macao, so it is also called the "Lobby". The cathedral has a typical Mediterranean style, with huge stained glass and a slightly grey facade. The cathedral was built in 1576. It is a small wooden building. In 1849, the Catholic Collection finally donated money to rebuild it.
The Macau Catholic Church is the seat of the Catholic Church Office of Macau, the highest Catholic authority in Macau. The annual largest Catholic Midnight Mass, as well as large-scale activities such as the Pilgrimage of the Holy Statue of Jesus, is also held. The Catholic Church, also known as the "Lobby", is not the largest church in Macau, but because it is the most dignified symbol. As early as 1575, the Catholic Church established a bishop's jurisdiction in Macao. Macau, known as the City of Sacred Names, once became the center of Catholic dissemination in the Far East. The following year, the cathedral was built. Under the magnificent altar, some ancient tombs were buried, including the bones or remains of the bishops in the 16th and 17th centuries, such as Janello, Huanianda and Jiashal. The most distinctive feature of the church is that it is equipped with artistic glass and double towers below. The hall is dedicated to the famous St. Peter.