Showing posts with label Ruins of St Paul's. Show all posts

[PLACE] 20141224 Monte Fort 大炮台 @ Macau


Monte Fort (Fortaleza do Monte), or known as Mount Fortress, is a military fortress built by the Portuguese colony during the 17th century to fend off intruders. The fort is built on the hill top with solid walls up to 9 meters, overseeing the Macau peninsular.

The fort is fortified with heavy artillery and cannons but was only fired once during the Dutch invasion in 1622 and never since.

Currently the Monte Fort has become a popular attraction in Macau with the Museum of Macau located right on top. Visitors can have a panoramic view of Macau Peninsular on top of the fort.


TO GO


The Monte Fort is located next to the Ruins of St Paul's, near to Senado Square. Visitors usually arrives at Senado Square first before continue to Ruins of St Paul's and then to the fort. 

Bus Stop nearby Monte Fort: Bus No. 7, 7A, 8, 17

Alternatively, visitors can opt for the free shuttle bus provided by the casinos nearby. The nearest casino will be the famous Grand Lisboa. The Senado Square is just about 5 minutes walking distance away from the Grand Lisboa.

Bus Stop nearby Senado Sqaure: Bus No. Bus No. 3, 4, 6 8A, 18A, 19, 26A, 33, N1A.




ATTRACTION



Monte Fort is similar to our A' Famosa, which is also a fortress on hill. Located just next to the Ruins of St Paul's. It requires some more climb of the stone steps up hill to reach the top of the fortress. So make sure you wear the appropriate footwear.


Soon you will reach the entrance of the fortress where the cannons are all located, behind the tall and solid stone walls.




The entrance of the fortress, leading to the garden and platform on top.


Rows and rows of defunct cannons, fortifying the fortress in the older days, fending off any potential intruders.


a few of it actually aligns facing the Grand Lisboa casino from afar. Makes you feel like lighting the fuse somehow (just kidding).


From here, you get a high vantage point of the city of Macau. The peninsular is where the majority of the population resides. Despite the run down condition, these apartments can actually cost as much as those in the Hong Kong counterpart due to the lack of land.


The reflection pool surrounding the Museum of Macau.


The building, and the entrance of Museum of Macau.


Somewhere around the the museum there's an entrance down to a small dungeon where some of the remains of the fortress are exhibited.


The fortress has much more to see than the Ruins of St Paul's as you have the whole view of the peninsular from atop and also the remains of the fortress.

SUMMARY


Monte Fort is a detour from the famous Ruins of St Paul's but has much more to offer than the later. The hilltop also offers an overview of the Macau peninsular and is a good photo spot with urban landscape and seaview. The Grand Lisboa casion building is also clearly seen from here.

Attraction
☆☆☆☆☆
good vantage point, historical site
Cleanliness
☆☆☆☆
Entrance Fee
Free
Opening Hours
Daily
Wifi
N/A
Parking
N/A
Website
N/A

GPS: 22.196847, 113.542384
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[PLACE] 20141224 Ruins of St. Paul's 大三巴牌坊 @ Macau


The Ruins of St Paul's is a remaining façade of the St Paul's church that was destroyed in a fire during a typhoon in 1835. The original church was built in 1602 and completed in 1640, being one of the largest church in Asia during the days.

The ruin is now Macau's famous tourist destination and it is a must come for every visitor to Macau. It was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage in 2005.


TO GO


The Ruins of St Paul's is located on a hill, next to Monte Fort, near to Senado Square. Visitors usually arrives at Senado Square first before continue to Ruins of St Paul's. However, visitors can also choose to visit the ruins first via the nearby bus stop.

Bus Stop nearby Ruins of St Paul's: Bus No. 7, 7A, 8, 17

Alternatively, visitors can opt for the free shuttle bus provided by the casinos nearby. The nearest casino will be the famous Grand Lisboa. The Senado Square is just about 5 minutes walking distance away from the Grand Lisboa.

Bus Stop nearby Senado Sqaure: Bus No. Bus No. 3, 4, 6 8A, 18A, 19, 26A, 33, N1A.



ATTRACTION



What's special about the ruins is similar to what our A' Famosa in Melaka has to offer. In fact, I think our A' Famosa has more to offer than just a remaining façade. Both shares the similarity of the Portuguese heritage. The ruins is located on a hill and requires some climb up (around 10 minutes) along the busy pedestrian streets from Senado Square. A lot of merchandise and souvenir shops are located at both sides of the streets and trying their best to get you to buy their products.


The Ruins of St Paul's is located at a very strategic location with the Senado Square, Monte Fort and Museum of Macau all within the same location. There are also a few cathedrals and temples around like the Na Tcha Temple, Yui Seng Lonh Mou Temple and Guan Di Temple around here if you are more adventurous of the spiritual type of tourist.


It was a gloomy Christmas Eve and the ruins is flocked with thousands of tourists from all around the world.


If you are into ancient heritage and architecture, you probably will be more interested in the ruins than I am.


It's quite challenging to have a clean picture without human heads obstructing your view. This is the remain of the St Paul's church, where millions of tourists will come to visit every year.


The back of the ruins lies the remaining pillar and shrine of the church, there's also some signboards at both side of the opening area showing you the original layout of the church.

There's nothing much to see after you walk passed the wall or gate. Time to move on to the Monte Fort located just beside.

SUMMARY


Although it is just a remaining brick wall, the Ruins of St Paul's is worth a visit given it's historical value, or simply for the "been here, done that" check-ins. Recommended to complete your tour with all the surrounding attractions.

Attraction
☆☆☆☆
Historical and cultural value.
Cleanliness
☆☆☆☆☆
Entrance Fee
Free
Opening Hours
Daily
Wifi
Yes but limited connection.
Parking
N/A
Website
N/A

GPS: 22.197424, 113.540868
Read More
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