Macau Lifestyle
  • What's On

    Categories

    • Events Calendar
    • Macau Weekend
    • Monthly Hotlist
    • Giveaways
    • Entertainment

    Recent Stories

    Oxtail soup
    Weekender: Songkran Garden Party, Sommelier Nights & More
    Macau Weekend
    Macao Arts Festival
    What to Expect At the 31st Macao Arts Festival
    What's On
    Relax and Reward Package Offer Shine Spa
    Weekender: Spa & Staycation Offers, Food Surprises & More
    Macau Weekend
  • Dining

    Categories

    • Restaurants
    • Local Eats
    • Cafes
    • Bars
    • Chef Spotlight

    Recent Stories

    sponge-cake-macau-lifestyle-chinese-pastries
    Our Guide to Traditional Chinese Pastries in Macau
    Dining
    Voyages by Alain Ducasse_Gin Trolley
    Where to Have Gin & Tonic in Macau
    Bars
    pho tik pho peach tea macau lifestyle
    Delicious Noodles & Where to Eat Them in Macau
    Local Eats
  • Lifestyle

    Categories

    • Wellness
    • Weddings
    • Family
    • People

    Recent Stories

    Flora Garden playground
    The Best Playgrounds for Kids in Macau
    Family
    Dave Wan Working at Zawood
    Dave Wan: Keeping up the Family’s Business With Zawood
    Artist Spotlight
    Notable Macau women Sister Juliana Devoy
    8 Notable Macau Women to Be Proud Of
    Culture
  • Culture

    Categories

    • Arts
    • Heritage & History
    • Architecture
    • Artist Spotlight
    • Local Knowledge

    Recent Stories

    Macau skyline and Nobre de Carvalho Bridge
    Macau Bridges: Connecting Islands Since 1974
    Architecture
    Flora Garden playground
    The Best Playgrounds for Kids in Macau
    Family
    Dave Wan Working at Zawood
    Dave Wan: Keeping up the Family’s Business With Zawood
    Artist Spotlight
  • Style

    Categories

    • Fashion
    • Jewelry & Watches
    • Beauty
    • Home

    Recent Stories

    Macau Lifestyle Stephen Margaret Omorovicza
    Margaret de Heinrich: Omorovicza Skincare & Healing Thermal Waters
    Beauty
    Gucci Macau
    Best Springtime Fragrances of 2021
    Beauty
    Macau Lifestyle Morpheus Spa_Couple Spa Suite_02
    Best Facial Treatments in Macau
    Beauty
  • Travel

    Categories

    • Macau
    • China
    • Asia
    • Oceania
    • Europe

    Recent Stories

    hong kong junk Day Trips Macau
    Best Day Trips from Macau
    Asia
    macau day trips ocean park hong kong
    Best Day Trips for the Whole Family
    Family
    kun iam ecumenic centre macau
    Weekend Walking Tour of Macau Peninsula’s Alternative Cultural Sites
    Culture
  • Hong Kong

    Categories

    • What's On
    • Dining
    • Things to Do
    • Hotels

    Recent Stories

    Artist Wu Yi – Tang Contemporary gallery- Macau Lifestyle WY1
    Wu Yi: A Painter’s Painter
    Artist Spotlight
    St. Regis Hong Kong, Premier Harbour Room 08
    Best Staycation Packages in Hong Kong
    Hong Kong
    Kerry Hotel Hong Kong
    Wake Up Here: Kerry Hotel, Hong Kong
    Hong Kong
  • Events
  • City Guide
  • 繁中
Heritage
28 October, 2017
by Leonor Sá Machado

The True Story Behind Macau’s Walls

A map detailing some of the earlier wall constructions in Macau

Macau was not always the city we see today, not even in its core historical area. During the 16th and 17th centuries, the territory was divided by a wall made of clay, sand, rice straw, rocks, and oyster shells. The construction of this inner wall started around 1569 and it was meant to protect the central area from foreign attacks. Nowadays, it is part of the Historic Centre of Macao, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List since it is part of the city’s history.

Outsiders

The Portuguese were not allowed to live in the north of the peninsula, which resulted in the following construction covering the southern area of the region. The city was walled from Patane all the way to the Inner Harbor, the fortress, S. João Beacon and S. Francisco Fortress (which is currently the area occupied by S. Francisco Garden). However, this construction was not even, having two distinct parcels: the latter went from Bom Parto Fortress all the way through Penha and its fortress. It then followed the way down to the Inner Harbor area. The walls were no more than five meters high and were made of rudimentary materials. This is believed to be the main reason for its short life.

Section of the Old City Walls

Section of the Old City Walls

The Fortress of Bom Parto (which can be located right under the current Portuguese Consul’s Residence) was connected to Penha through this same wall and it provided protection. This section was equipped with cannons as well. One can still visit the last remaining piece of this wall, located next to Na Tcha Temple, close to the Ruins of St. Paul’s. The historical monument–along with some artefacts–was discovered in May 2010 by a group of Chinese archaeologists, invited by the local government to investigate the site. The specialists believed that the remains date back to the Chinese Ming Dynasty.

The wall’s siting and construction followed typical Portuguese urban design practice for the time: public, religious, commercial and administrative buildings were all inside the walled city since it was the center of urban life. This type of design can still be seen in several Portuguese cities, including Lisbon, Almeida, and Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo. Generally, present-day remains are found close to monuments such as castles or palaces. Macau did not have such, but it did have fortresses since the wall mainly served military purposes. It is believed to have been difficult to convince the Chinese to build it as they feared it was a way for the Portuguese to penetrate the continent.

Macau in 1626 by John Speed, in Cronologia da Historia de Macau

Macau in 1626 by John Speed. Source: Cronologia da História de Macau

Remainders

The Portuguese city was then born, starting in Praia Grande area and going up to Penha. Along with Mount Fortress, the Ruins of St. Paul’s and some other central area monuments, the story and remains of the wall are key to understanding Macau’s Portuguese legacy. Looking at the city as a whole, one can easily conclude that its structures are mainly religious and military. This not only says a lot about the Portuguese presence in the region, but also about its intentions. Besides having the Jesuit missions arriving in Macau to spread their religion, the Portuguese also founded Macau to be an outer trading post. They were also in a strategic place, connecting the outer world to China. Being so, there was a strong need to protect what came to be the home of hundreds of Portuguese from the 15th century onwards.

To see the city and how parts of it appeared in earlier times, visit one of the elevated fortress areas such as Mount Fortress or Guia Fortress.


Mount Fortress Rua do Monte, Macau, +853 2835 7911, www.culturalheritage.mo

Guia Fortress Rampa da Guia, Macau, +853 2859 5481, en.macaotourism.gov.mo

Tags

  • Barra
  • Bom Parto
  • guia fortress
  • Guia Hill
  • Heritage
  • historical centre
  • historical wall
  • history of city design
  • Inner Harbor
  • Macau history
  • Mount Fortress Macau
  • Petane
  • wall

Related Posts

Portuguese Consulate that was a Hospital Right Angle Macao Archives
Culture

Portuguese Heritage: From Catholic Hospital to Diplomatic Institution

Taken from Joao Botas book Macau em Tempo de Guerra
Culture

Macau During the Second World War: Political Neutrality & City of Refuge

Lei Fong Mr Liu in Shop Macau Lifestyle
Culture

Lei Fong Mercearia: The Time-Travelling Convenience Store

10-things-to-do-in-coloane-chapel-francis-xavier
Culture

10 Beautiful Catholic Churches in Macau

Trending Posts

Flora Garden playground
Family, Local Knowledge

The Best Playgrounds for Kids in Macau

Julio Lei holding a pot of ox tail curry from APOMAC Macau Lifestyle
Dining, Local Eats, Restaurants

Best Places for Macanese Food in Macau

hef-marco-di-boni-profile-mandarin-oriental-macau-vida-rica
Chef Spotlight, Dining

Chef Marco de Boni of Mandarin Oriental, Macau: On Pasta & the Perks of Living in Macau

Macau Weekend, What's On

Weekender: Songkran Garden Party, Sommelier Nights & More

  • Editor's Picks

    SICILIAN RED PRAWN and OSCIETRA CAVIAR served “cru” with yuzu The Manor A La Carte Menu Monthly Hotlist

    April in Macau: Dining, Arts, Culture & Family Events

    Check out all the unmissable events April has in store for everyone in Macau. From kids activities to dining offers, read on and find out!

    Date Announcement  – Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2021 sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna Dining

    Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2021 – Five Macau Eateries Make the Cut

    Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2021 decided to award 100 restaurants instead of the traditional 50, with Macau making it into the list!

    AJ Hackett Macau Skywalk giveaway Macau Lifestyle Local Knowledge

    Everything You Need to Do in Macau at Least Once

    Take a dive into this article and find out what to do to spend your precious time in Macau and maximize it to enjoy the city at its fullest!

    Featured image: Chinese depiction of a woman from atlantic countries circa 18th century Source: Review of Culture Culture

    Historic Women in Macau: Empowering Communities Across Time

    We all have an idea of what being a woman during the earlier centuries meant. These prominent women in Macau proved that their gender wasn’t a hindrance.

    LondonerMainLR Hotels

    Unveiling The Londoner Macao: The Newest Jewel in Cotai’s Crown

    The Londoner Macao is a unique addition to the vibrant skyline of Macau meticulously designed, making it a true celebration of timeless British design.

    Cuppa Coffee Macau Dining

    Good Morning Macau: Best Cafes for Breakfast

    As breakfast is the most important meal of the day, here’re our favorite cafes in Macau to head to for a hearty breakfast!

    Mandarin Oriental, Macau_The Mandarin Cake Shop_Signature Cake_Pink Bloom Cafes

    That Takes the Cake! The Mandarin Cake Shop’s Cakes for Every Taste

    The Mandarin Cake Shop’s cakes will make your heart beat faster and complement any ocassion! Don’t believe us? Try it for yourself!

    Sichuan Moon Chinese Restaurant Macau Dining

    The Most Outstanding Chinese Restaurants in Macau

    We’ve dedicated this page to the best restaurants serving Chinese food that entices even the most discerning palates from all over the world.

    Cotai Picture Wide Macau Lifestyle Macau

    10 Free Things to Do in Macau

    Glamorous and buzzing Macau has a lot to offer even for those on a shoe-string budget. Find out the coolest and free things to do in Macau.

    Coloane hiking trail Culture

    Guide to Coloane’s Hiking Trails

    Coloane is home to most of the hiking trails in town. We walked them all and came up with the most comprehensive Coloane hiking trails guide.

    African Chicken from Riquexo Macau Lifestyle Dining

    Macanese Craze: Where to Get African Chicken in Macau

    African chicken is a truly Macanese dish, even though it doesn’t sound so. We’ve toured Macau looking for the best and here they are!

    caffe b italian restaurant macau lunch dishes Dining

    New Set Menu at Caffé B Macau: What’s for Lunch?

    Our favorite casual Italian restaurant, Caffé B Macau, recently launched new lunch sets. We headed there to taste the recent additions.

    Collage of Calcada do Amparo Area Wall Paintings Macau Lifestyle Arts

    Colorful Macau: Best Street Art Hotspots

    Looking for something different to discover in the city? Explore the lesser travelled paths of Macau to find stunning local street art.

    The Moss Natural Life - handmade soaps sustainable shopping macau Wellness

    Sustainable Shopping in Macau

    If you are looking for places to shop for packaging-free, eco-friendly and sustainable items in Macau, here is a good list to embark on your journey.

    quarter square coffee on table exterior Dining

    The Ultimate Guide to Macau’s Best Coffee Shops

    Coffee makes the world go round and even if you don’t fancy it, it definitely brings people together so here are the best coffee shops in Macau!

    The Cheesecake Factory Macao pancakes Cafes

    Great Places for Pancakes in Macau

    Looking for pancake places around Macau? Hunting for butter-browned, soft and fluffy pancakes? We think you’ll be satisfied with our list!

    10-things-to-do-in-coloane-chapel-francis-xavier Culture

    10 Beautiful Catholic Churches in Macau

    Other than the glitz of the casinos and hotels, the beautiful Catholic churches show a different, historical side of Macau.

    Zics Macau Brand Source Facebook page Fashion

    Macau Fashion Brands: Celebrate Local Design

    Discover some Macau fashion brands that are making waves due to the fabulous designers behind each of their fresh and genius creations.

    The Ritz-Carlton Bar & Lounge Gin Collection Bars

    Best Places for Happy Hour in Macau

    After a long day at work, you need a relaxing place to unwind. We have the best places in Macau for happy hour deals on drinks and snacks!

    Macau Youth Street Dance Association single shot x Macau Lifestyle Arts

    Macau Youth Street Dance Association: Jarvis Mo on the Local Dance Scene

    We speak to Jarvis Mo, the president of the Macau Youth Street Dance Association, about the street dance culture in Macau, and more!

    Waffles with Coffee at Rooftop Macau Exterior Macau Lifestyle Cafes

    Best Waffle Spots in Macau

    Best shared with your friends or perhaps on a first date, here are the best waffle places in Macau for your next catch up session.

    Cinco de Mayo Macau Mexican dancers, Cinco de Mayo Celebration, Old Mesilla, Las Cruces, New Mexico USA Culture

    Everything You Need to Know About Cinco de Mayo

    Some people mistake Cinco de Mayo as Mexican Independence Day. What is it exactly? And how do you celebrate Cinco de Mayo in Macau?

    Mighty Green Featured Cintia and Guilherme Lifestyle

    Mighty Greens: The Powerful Micro-Greens Making Their Way Across Macau Restaurants

    Guilherme Martins and Cintia Milk, behind Mighty Greens has an indoor farm in Macau producing nutritious tiny plants called “micro-greens”.

    Maria do Leste Bloody Mary from St Regis Macao Updated Photo 2020 Bars

    Shaken or Stirred: Macau’s Best Cocktails

    The world of mixology often proves to be as diverse and surprising as the one of gastronomy. Exercising talent and immense creativity, Macau’s bartenders keep creating signature cocktails that impress us with both flavors and presentation. If you are tired and bored with mojitos and negronis and need tips on what else to try, check out our guide to Macau’s best cocktails. 

    Macau Lifestyle Morpheus Spa_Couple Spa Suite_02 Beauty

    Best Facial Treatments in Macau

    With so many world-class spas in Macau, we recommend that you indulge in a facial treatment that will make you feel good at the start of 2021!

  • About
  • The Team
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Contact Us

COPYRIGHT © 2021 • MACAU LIFESTYLE

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Receive Macau Events Agenda, the Hottest Giveaway Offers and the Latest Article Updates!

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok