Ruins of St. Paul’s is one of the best known landmarks in Macau. The city is known for it’s large number of casinos and labeled as Asia’s Las Vegas.
Ruins of St. Paul’s sits comfortably on top of a hill in the busy Santo Antonio shopping district in Macau. In 2005, it was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The complex dates back to the 17th-century and the Portuguese church is a dedication to Saint Paul the Apostle. The Catholic church was the largest in Asia during 1600s and a typhoon caused the area to be destroyed by a fire. However, til this day, the area is still overlooked by Monte Fort.
My cab driver suddenly stop the cab. She told me to get out and pointed to the little laneway. At first, I was skeptical and thought she hustled me for a few bucks; however, the eight feet wide lane had people entering and exiting it. I paid her then hopped out of the cab. I took out my phone to open up Google Maps then started walking through the narrow pathways.
The uphill trek was filled with people. The sights, sounds and smells of the area really enhance the feeling of walking through Macau’s busy San Antonio district. It’s a journey to maneuver the tourists, countless vendors offering free samples and retail associates asking if you want to buy things. However, it’s all worth it to see the Ruins of St. Paul’s once you pass all the shops and sea of people.
