Gardens of St. Francis

Gardens of St. Francis

Gardens of St. Francis, also known as Nam Van Garden, is located at the junction of Avenida da Penha and Calçada do Quartel in Macau. It is the first park in Macau, and its historical significance has been recognized by the Macau government. It is commonly called Gardens of St. Francis.

The name "Gardens of St. Francis" comes from the Portuguese S. Francisco (also translatable as Saint Francis). In 1508, the Spanish Franciscan Order established a monastery here, which was named after Saint Francis. In 1861, the monastery was demolished and the St. Francis Barracks were built. The adjacent area was converted into a public garden, designed and supervised by Dr. Mario Soares. Stretching from the present-day Avenida da Nam Van up to Avenida da Penha, the garden is divided into three tiers.

The Gardens of St. Francis is a European-style garden in Macau, consisting broadly of two parts: one part features flat pathways between Avenida da Nam Van and Rua da Caixa, shaded by ancient banyan trees and lined with blooming flowers; the other part is terraced along the hillside, located between Avenida do Coronel Mesquita and Avenida da Penha, adorned with low walls, columns, arches, and fountains, exuding a strong European charm. Winding up a secluded path, you’ll reach a flat terrace at the top equipped with children’s play facilities. The cylindrical building in the park was originally built as a World War I memorial to honor Portuguese soldiers who died in the war (especially those from Macau), and it now houses the headquarters of the Macau Association for the Handicapped.

São Francisco Gardens

Must-visit reason: Macau’s earliest established park