Macau played a key role in East-West trade long before the British established a base in Hong Kong. As a result, the city, which was administered by Portugal for more than four centuries, is dotted with relics from bygone eras. Constructed between 1617 and 1626 to defend the city, the 10,000-square-metre Monte Fort, or Fortaleza do Monte, housed barracks and was equipped with cannons and enough supplies to withstand a two-year siege. A museum was constructed within the fort in the twilight years of Portuguese rule. A smaller fortress was built at the mouth of Macau's inner harbour. The Fortaleza da Barra, or Barra Fort, was also built in the 17th century and had a small chapel where there was a statue of St James, patron saint of the Portuguese Army. According to legend, the statue would sometimes have muddy boots - proof that it had been out patrolling the estuary. The Guia Lighthouse stands on top of Penha Hill. Completed in 1865, it is the oldest modern lighthouse on the coast of the South China Sea. It has a tiny chapel with frescoes having Western and Chinese cultural themes. Senado Square sits at the heart of what has been dubbed the Historic Centre of Macau, which was declared a World Heritage Site by the World Heritage Committee of Unesco in 2005. With a lovely fountain at its heart, it is flanked by colonial commercial buildings. There is also an imposing stone-fronted post office and the white stucco Holy House of Mercy, a charitable body responsible for creating the city's first Western-style medical clinic. Across from the square on the city's main drag is the Leal Senado, or Loyal Senate, home to the city's legislature before the handover. A modest neo-classical structure, it has been turned into a museum and also houses a baroque library with elaborately carved woodwork and an important collection of volumes on Chinese history, a lovely courtyard and exhibition spaces. Located just off Senado Square, the Mandarin's House has the characteristics of a traditional Cantonese-style residence. A fusion of architectural influences, it was constructed around 1869 by Zheng Wenrui, father of the late Qing scholar, Zheng Guanying. Beautifully restored and now housing the Zheng Guanying Exhibition, it is one of the few stately Chinese-style homes to have survived the wrecker's ball. Macau was also an important centre for the propagation of the Catholic faith. Located just off Senado Square is St Dominic's Church, which dates back to the early 17th century. The church has a fascinating past. In 1644, a military officer supporting the Spanish against the Portuguese was murdered at the altar during Mass. The Dominicans sided with the Pope against Macau's bishop during the Rites Controversy in 1707. When the local militia excommunicated the friars, they locked themselves in the church for three days, throwing stones at the soldiers. Because the monastic orders were suppressed in 1834, the church was used by the government as a barracks, stable and a public-works office. Macau's Cathedral was originally known as Our Lady of Hope of St Lazarus. Consecrated in 1850, it is located a few blocks over on the Largo de Se. It was nearly destroyed in a typhoon, a quarter of a century later, and completely rebuilt in 1937. A Portuguese-style town square was built in front of the structure several years ago and has proved popular with locals who gather there to chat, read the paper, and relax. St Augustine's Church is a yellow and white stucco edifice dating back to the 17th century and is located a few blocks over on Rua Central. St Joseph's Seminary and Church, and the Sir Robert Ho Tung Library are located across the way. A lovely green and white stucco theatre also graces the square. A little further down the road is St Lawrence's Church. Dating back to the 1560s, it has been rebuilt and renovated countless times. Not far away, at the top of Penha Hill in the city's high-rent district, is the Chapel of Our Lady of Penha, which was first built in 1622, and totally rebuilt in 1837. Macau's most famous church is St Paul's. Built in 1602, it burned down during a typhoon in 1835. Only its stone facade remains, and it has become the city's unofficial symbol. Before its return to Chinese rule in 1999, Macau's official name was 'Cidade de Deus de Macau Nao Hao Outra Mais Leal (City of God Macau There Is None More Loyal). Portuguese King D. Joao IV bestowed this appellation upon the city in 1654 after Portugal regained its independence following six decades of Spanish rule. The honour was not only in recognition of the city's importance as a religious centre. During the Spanish occupation of Portugal, Macau was the only territory in the Portuguese empire that remained loyal to the Portuguese throne.
