Hey everyone, and welcome to World Heritage Journey.
For today's video, we're in the Historic Centre of Macao, southern China.
One of the world's last colonial outposts, Macao is on the World Heritage List for its
fascinating blend of Chinese culture and Portguese colonial architecture.
Let's have a look around!
The city of Macao is located on China's southern coastline, at the western edge of the Pearl
River Delta, just across the water from Hong Kong.
Although villagers and fisherman have lived in the area since at least the Qin dynasty,
over two thousand years ago, Macao's modern history began in the 16th century.
Portuguese explorers and traders arrived, and in 1557 Portugal permanently leased Macao.
Booming trade meant a booming economy, booming population and a thriving culture - which
is what this World Heritage Site focuses on.
The most impressive building in the World Heritage area is definitely the Ruins of St Pauls.
Built in the early 17th century, St Pauls was one of the largest Catholic buildings
in Asia.
Unfortunately, it was heavily damaged by a typhoon in 1835 so that only the imposing
south facade remains.
But it's still absolutely beautiful!
We just loved the baroque styling, showing Portuguese designs of the time but with clear
Chinese influences.
One notable carving depicts the Virgin Mary trampling a Chinese dragon!
Surrounding the ruins of St Pauls are the old City Walls of Macao, and the Mountain Fortress,
or Fortaleza do Monte.
Sitting on a small hill, this fort was crucial to Macao's defences against pirates, and foreign
powers.
In 1622, the fort successfully held off an attempted invasion by the Dutch, preserving
this tiny slice of Portugal for the next several centuries.
Descending the steps in front of St Pauls and the Fort, you're immersed in the old city
of Macao.
It's a fantastic mixture of large baroque public squares, impressive European styled
buildings, Catholic churches and Chinese temples.
In the squares and along the streets, the buildings are just so distinctly European
that it's hard to believe you're in China.
Some of the highlights here include the Temple of A-Ma, a Chinese temple that dates back
to 1488, well before the Portuguese arrived.
It's believed that the name Macao is derived from the goddess Mazu, who is worshipped here.
The Moorish Barracks is a very striking building, painted in bright yellow and white.
Despite the name, it wasn't built by Moors, nor is it particularly Moorish in style.
It's actually built in a Mughal style, inspired by the Muslim architecture of northern India
and Persia.
There's a series of fantastically well-preserved churches dotted around the old city, including
St Lawrence's Church, St Joseph's Seminary, St Augustine's, and St Dominic's.
There's also the extremely impressive Holy House of Mercy, a large neo-classical building
originally from the 17th century that was set up as a medical clinic, orphanage, and
widow's refuge.
All up there's a heap of great stuff to see in Macao.
It's such an intriguing blend of European and Chinese culture that is really rare to see.
We loved all the traditional Portuguese style white tiles with blue paintings, the kind
you see all across the Iberian peninsula.
Except here, they're painted with Chinese scenes: willow trees, markets on the river,
billowing clouds and towering mountains.
And of course there's the street food: Cantonese dim sum, followed by Portuguese tarts!
Yum.
Anyway, that's it from us.
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We'll see you next time.