Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
HISTORIC BUILDING
LEAL SENADO
26A, 18A, 33, disembark at Almeida Ribeiro)
Facing Largo do Senado is Macau's most important historical building, the 18th-century
'Loyal Senate', which houses the Instituto para os Assuntos Cívicos e Municipais (IACM;
Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau). It is so-named because the body sitting here refused to
recognise Spain's sovereignty during the 60 years that it occupied Portugal. In 1654, a
dozen years after Portuguese sovereignty was re-established, King João IV ordered a herald-
ic inscription to be placed inside the entrance hall, which can still be seen today.
; 8988 4100;163 Avenida de Almeida Ribeiro; 9am-9pm Tue-Sun; 3, 6, 26A, 18A, 33, disembark
1-7pm Tue-Sat; 3, 6, 26A, 18A, 33, disembark at Almeida Ribeiro)
, which has a collection of
some 18,500 books, and wonderful carved wooden furnishings and panelled walls.
FORT
MONTE FORT
Just east of the ruins, Monte Fort was built by the Jesuits between 1617 and 1626 as part of
the College of the Mother of God. Barracks and storehouses were designed to allow the fort
to survive a two-year siege, but the cannons were fired only once, during the aborted at-
tempt by the Dutch to invade Macau in 1622. Now the ones on the south side are trained at
the gaudy Grand Lisboa Casino like an accusing finger.
On the outside of the southeastern wall, about 6m from the ground, under a cannon, is a
sealed rectangular opening. This was a door used by soldiers patrolling the old city wall that
was connected to the fort at a right angle.
MUSEUM
MACAU MUSEUM
Museu de Macau;admission MOP$15, 15th of month free; 10am-5.30pm Tue-Sun; 7, 8, disembark
at Social Welfare Bureau)
This interesting museum inside Monte Fort will give you a taste of Macau's history. The 1st
floor introduces the territory's early history and includes an elaborate section on Macau's re-
ligions. Highlights of the 2nd floor include a recreated firecracker factory and a recorded
