Chapel of St. Paul

Chapel of St. Paul

Guide

The Chapel of St. Paul is located on Mount Hill, one of the highest points on the Macau Peninsula. It is a small chapel dedicated to praying to the patron saint of seafarers. The chapel was built because Portuguese sailors on the Japan route once encountered Dutch pirate ships at sea but were unharmed. They firmly believed it was divine protection and made a vow to build the chapel in gratitude. Highlights

Every year during the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima, the procession starts from the Chapel of Our Lady of the Rosary and ends at the Chapel of St. Paul. Hundreds of devotees follow along, singing hymns and reciting prayers, creating a lively atmosphere. Introduction

Also known as the Chapel of Our Lady of the Hill, the Chapel of St. Paul was built next to a battery in 1622. With simple architecture and winding mountain paths, it originally served as a place for Portuguese soldiers stationed in Macau to hold Mass and prayers. After the demolition of the nearby fortress in 1892, the chapel gradually expanded. It was rebuilt in 1835 and has since attained its current grand scale. The church building is dominated by a tall bell tower gateway, topped with a triangular roof upon which stands a statue of the Virgin Mary. To the right of the church is a bell tower that rises majestically into the sky, lending an air of solemnity. To the left is the Bishop's Palace, added in 1935.

In front of the church lies a spacious platform. At the end of the platform stands a marble statue of the Virgin Mary, her hands clasped together in a kind expression, facing the sea. Beneath the platform is the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes. Descend the surrounding stone steps on either side to reach the cave entrance. In the open area in front of the grotto lies an ancient bronze tombstone inscribed in Portuguese, marking the burial site of the Catholic Bishop of Macau in the early 20th century. On February 18, 1918, Bishop João Paulino de Azevedo e Castro was laid to rest here. Inside the cave, rugged rocks form an arched doorway, within which stands a statue of the Virgin Mary, symbolizing the apparition of the Virgin in the French town of Lourdes. At the center is the altar, and the cave is enclosed by iron railings. Multiple rows of low stone slabs are placed on the ground for worshippers to kneel and pray or seek confession.

The surroundings of the church feature serene flower-lined paths, lush ancient trees, elegant architecture, and beautiful scenery. From its elevated position, visitors can also enjoy panoramic views of the Southwestern Bay and the Zhuhai Wanzai district of Mainland China, making it one of the popular sightseeing spots favored by both domestic and international tourists.

Macau, Macau