Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, commonly known as the Cathedral or informally as the “Main Church,” is the cathedral church of the Catholic Diocese of Macau. It is located in Macau’s Senado Square and was built before 1576. Its structure is part of the Historic Centre of Macau.

The main body of the cathedral is a single-story building with a sloped roof and wooden roof trusses; the bell tower section has three floors with a flat roof. The church facade is symmetrical, featuring a typical classical composition with walls divided by pilasters, representing a simplified version of the “Neoclassical” style. The front exterior wall of the building is made of stone, while the sides are finished with textured stucco. The main structural elements of the facade are reinforced concrete. The top of the facade is approximately 12 meters high, with two three-story bell towers about 13 meters tall. The central section still follows a tripartite design, with three doors, three windows, and a triangular pediment, dominated by horizontal lines. The church bells were manufactured in England to commemorate the ascension of King Pedro V of Portugal to the throne.

The main hall of the church has a rectangular floor plan, with a side chapel and a prayer room on each side. The oldest side chapel features a wooden vaulted ceiling and is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception. The main altar space is deep and simply designed, with only stained glass windows as the backdrop, because beneath the altar lie the remains of bishops and martyrs from the 16th and 17th centuries, bringing great honor to the church. The wooden Portuguese screen at the church entrance, the religious icons inside, and the stained glass windows are all valuable historical artifacts. The interior color scheme is mainly light green, and the grandeur of the cathedral can be appreciated from the spacious nave, prayer rooms, and main altar.

Catedral Igreja da Sé

Must-visit reason: One of Macau's most magnificent Catholic cathedrals