Holy House of Mercy’s Ladies’ House

Holy House of Mercy’s Ladies’ House

The actual name of the Ladies’ House is “Home for the Poor.” Built over a hundred years ago, it is property of the Holy House of Mercy in Macau. It is located at the end of Rua da Sinha in the old district of São Lázaro, next to the current Social Security Fund. During Japan’s invasion of China in World War II, a large number of Portuguese immigrants from Shanghai fled to Macau, and the Ladies’ House became a place dedicated to sheltering refugees and the poor, later becoming a home for elderly women. All the residents were elderly ladies, so local residents began calling it the “Ladies’ House.”

After the handover of Macau to China, the elderly ladies were relocated to a new nursing home, and the Ladies’ House was temporarily left vacant. At its peak, the Ladies’ House had over 100 residents, but before the relocation, only 52 actually lived there long-term. In June 1984, the Ladies’ House was designated as a protected heritage building by the Cultural Affairs Bureau. The Ladies’ House Art Space now covers an area of approximately 1,300 square meters. It includes two ancient two-story Portuguese-style buildings facing each other across a courtyard, comprising 32 rooms of around 16 square meters each. These rooms are now used for exhibitions and various art workshops, including a dye workshop, children’s art playroom, ceramic studio (with throwing and hand-building rooms), regularly hosting diverse art workshops for both children and adults. The Ladies’ Library and Ladies’ Music Room offer a collection of art books, magazines, and alternative music CDs from around the world for enthusiasts, while the Local Art Data Room engages in collecting and showcasing local art resources and promoting local artists.

Transportation Guide

Address: No. 8, Rua da Sinha, São Lázaro, Macau

Getting There: Take bus 8A, 18, 18A, 19, or 26 in Macau.