The Ruins of St. Paul`s are the memory of the greatest creation of the Christian East—the Cathedral of the Mother of God, the heart of the vast complex of the College of St. Paul. Built by the Jesuits between 1602 and 1640 (the architect, according to tradition, was a Japanese Christian), the complex included the cathedral itself, a university (the first of its kind in Western style in East Asia), an extensive library, a printing press, and fortifications.
It was not just a religious center, but the largest stronghold of Catholicism in Asia, where missionaries destined for China, Japan, and Vietnam were trained.
Architectural Masterpiece: What the Cathedral Looked Like
The cathedral was a grandiose structure in the late Renaissance style with elements of Baroque and Eastern influences. It had the shape of a Latin cross with a central nave and side chapels. Its main feature was the monumental grey granite frontispiece, which has survived to this day. Imagine: attached to this facade was a huge three-story church building with the richest interior—carved gilded altars, paintings of biblical scenes, statues of saints, and stained-glass windows.
Tragedy in Flames: Why Only the Facade Remains
On January 1, 1835, during New Year`s celebrations, a catastrophic fire broke out in the college. The firestorm, believed to have been caused by a kitchen hearth, raged for over two hours. The flames completely destroyed the wooden structures of the nave and roof, collapsed the vaults, melted the bells, and turned priceless archives, the library, and works of art to ash. Only the massive stone facade and part of the altar area`s foundation miraculously withstood. The granite walls endured the onslaught of fire, becoming a silent monument to past grandeur. After the fire, the cathedral was not rebuilt, and the ruins gradually came to be used as a cemetery.
The Facade of St. Paul`s
Its reliefs are a unique synthesis of Western Christian iconography and Eastern artistic traditions.
First tier (lowest): The three portals symbolize Faith, Hope, and Love. Above the central entrance is a bas-relief of the Blessed Virgin Mary trampling a seven-headed dragon (a symbol of heresy), surrounded by angels and the fountain of life (a symbol of purification). On the sides are Jesuit saints and personifications of the Virtues.
Second tier: Here are the figures of four great Jesuit saints, including the order`s founder, Ignatius of Loyola, and the pioneering missionary Francis Xavier.
Third tier: In the center is the Blessed Virgin of the Assumption, surrounded by angels. On the sides are reliefs depicting the Instruments of the Passion of Christ and the Tree of Life. At this level, Eastern motifs are particularly noticeable: peony and chrysanthemum flowers, Chinese characters, and a Japanese style in the depiction of clouds.
Fourth tier (top): The facade is crowned by a bronze figure of a dove in rays (symbolizing the Holy Spirit), flanked by the sun and the moon. Just below is a statue of Jesus Christ at the moment of the Ascension.
The Crypt and the Museum of Sacred Art
Directly behind the majestic facade, on the site of the former altar, is the crypt—the most mysterious and spiritual place of the ruins.
What it is: The crypt was built as a tomb for prominent Jesuits and benefactors. It is the only interior space of the complex partially surviving the fire.
What`s inside: Today, the Museum of Sacred Art is located here. In niches and behind glass are priceless relics saved from the fire or found during archaeological excavations:
• Relics of Japanese and Vietnamese Christian martyrs executed for their faith in the 17th-18th centuries.
• A wooden sculpture of "Christ Crucified" from the 16th century, one of the oldest in Asia.
• Paintings and church utensils from the destroyed cathedral.
• Stone tombs with the remains of high-ranking priests.
Atmosphere: Entering the crypt is a transition from the panoramic, open space to a quiet, semi-dark place filled with reverent silence. Here, the connection of times and the tragic history of this place are felt especially acutely.
Why the Ruins of St. Paul`s are a Must-See for Every Tourist
• Symbol of Macao: This is the most recognizable image of the city, its calling card, captured on all postcards. The view of the facade towering at the top of the wide staircase is unforgettable.
• A Master Class in History: The ruins are a visual history of the rise, flourishing, and tragic demise of the missionary project in Asia.
• A Unique Architectural Hybrid: Nowhere else in the world will you see the facade of a Catholic cathedral adorned with Chinese dragons and Japanese chrysanthemums. This is the embodiment of the spirit of cultural synthesis in Macao.
• Advice for visitors: Come early in the morning to avoid crowds, and after sunset when the facade is spectacularly illuminated. Be sure to go down to the crypt—without it, the impression will be incomplete.
The Ruins of St. Paul`s are the main and most recognizable symbol of Macao, which you must see: the majestic stone facade, standing alone at the top of the staircase, is all that remains of the grandiose 17th-century cathedral and university destroyed by fire in 1835. Here you will not only "read" the 400-year history of the city through the unique carved reliefs where Christian saints coexist with Chinese dragons, but you will also feel the powerful atmosphere of this place.
