Rua da Madre de Deus

Rua da Madre de Deus

Rua da Madre de Deus, located near the Macao Museum and the Ruins of St. Paul’s, is a street with Portuguese-style architecture. The facades of the old buildings along the street are all painted in yellow and red, and the road is covered with beautiful patterns made of mosaic cobblestones. The street lamps have also been replaced with European-style lanterns, giving it an unmistakably Lisbon-like atmosphere. The name “Rua da Madre de Deus” (Alley of the Madhouse) originates from a former leprosarium that once stood here, as well as the nearby chapel “Capela de Nossa Senhora da Esperança,” which was built specifically to serve leprosy patients. The famous historic building “Pou Tai Un” (also known as “Old Ladies’ House”) is also situated on this street.

Upon hearing the name “疯堂” (Feng Tang), many may find it somewhat odd, but it actually comes from a “charitable” origin. “疯堂” is the colloquial name for Capela de Nossa Senhora da Esperança. In 1569, the first Catholic bishop of Macao, Belchior Carneiro, could not bear to see local leprosy patients homeless, so he funded the construction of a leprosarium. Because the leprosarium was under closed management, and to provide spiritual comfort to the patients, a small chapel was later built next to it, named “Capela de Nossa Senhora da Esperança” for the lepers to pray in. As locals shunned those with leprosy, they referred to the chapel as “发疯寺” (Temple of the Mad) or “疯堂庙” (Madhouse Chapel), and the sloping road in front of it came to be called “疯堂斜巷” (Alley of the Madhouse).

Rua da Madre de Deus is not far from the iconic Ruins of St. Paul’s, Macao’s most famous landmark, just a ten-minute walk to the east. The alley has a distinctly exotic feel, and its ground is paved with mosaic cobblestones in the same style as those found in Portugal. The Rua da Madre de Deus area is now also Macao’s creative district, home to art schools and galleries that add many interesting venues to this picturesque lane.

Location: Rua da Madre de Deus, São Lázaro, Macao

Transportation: Take bus No. 17 in Macao to get there