Macau Cathedral

Pope Gregory XIII authorized the building of the first cathedral in 1576. Provisional timber construction were substitute by a masonry with its entrance looking south towards Rua Central (Central street).

This temple was dedicated to the nativity of the Virgin Mary, as it is register in Latin at the facade: “SS. M.V. MARIAE NASCENTI”. That why the color crystal window in the main altar represented a wrapped baby.

The present Cathedral Square is dominated by the presence of the actual church, a project by the Macanese architect Jose Tomas de Aquino, built in 1850.

Damage by the 1874 and the 1937/8 typhoons, the new version reflect little of the previous interior and exterior color and decorative richness.

In our days still remaining the Baroque charm given by the cluster of neoclassic buildings, that are based on their monumentality and artistic rhythm composed by western style “notes” or patterns, like columns and arcs.

This area is used mainly as a car park, an oblivion and degraded situation compared with the past glory when this square was the seat of the bishop, the catholic religious center of the city.

Surrounded the Cathedral are; the Bishop Palace, the diocesan office, a catholic school and a kindergarten.