A Journey Like a Song - Ruins of St. Paul's, Macau

The Ruins of St. Paul's is the most representative historical site in Macau and one of the eight scenic spots in Macau. It is located at the foot of Mount Fortress, with the Macau Museum and Mount Fortress on the left. The building is Baroque in style and is divided into five levels. The bottom two levels are rectangular, while the third to fifth levels form a triangular pyramid. At the top is a cross, with a bronze dove symbolizing the Holy Spirit below it. The statue of the Holy Infant and the statue of the Virgin Mary surrounded by angels and flowers create a strong religious atmosphere, making it a "three-dimensional Bible." The Ruins of St. Paul's is a witness to the history of Western civilization entering China. In 1583, the famous missionary Matteo Ricci redrew the world map here as the "Map of the Ten Thousand Countries," added Chinese labels, and presented it to the local Chinese government. In 1569, the St. Lazarus Hospital was built near the Ruins of St. Paul's, and Western medicine and pharmaceuticals began to flow into China. Portuguese doctor Gomes also introduced "vaccination" from Macau to China to treat the then-incurable disease "smallpox." The "St. Paul's College" near the Ruins of St. Paul's was the earliest Western-style university in East Asia. While implementing Western education, it also provided training in Eastern culture for missionaries about to enter the East. After Macau's return to China, the majestic Ruins of St. Paul's became a gathering place for thousands of people from all walks of life in Macau, who held rallies and sang songs here almost every day. The Ruins of St. Paul's, which has experienced over 400 years of vicissitudes, has ushered in a glorious new life and witnessed the tortuous history of Macau's return to China. In 2005, the Chinese government successfully applied to UNESCO for World Cultural Heritage status, and the Ruins of St. Paul's became part of the Historic Centre of Macau. Although the Ruins of St. Paul's has lost its actual function as a church, it is closely related to the lives of the people of Macau. Various cultural activities are held here from time to time, and the long steps in front of the ruins serve as natural seats, turning the ruins into a huge backdrop and a natural stage.