Museum of Sacred Art and Crypt
Museum of Sacred Art and Crypt
3.5
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
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BradJill
Hong Kong, China159,176 contributions
Jan 2023
Several of the World Heritage attractions around the Historic Centre of Macau have add-on museums which house sacred arts that date back several centuries including this attraction situated at the back of the Ruins of St. Paul's. The museum is accessed from within the Ruins grounds and is open from 9am to 6pm daily but closed at 2pm on Tuesdays.
The museum makes use of rooms, including the old Church of Mater Dei crypt where there is a tomb which is believed to hold the remains of Father Alexander Valignano, founder of the historic St. Paul's Collect which was historically located just next to the church. Both were destroyed during the Great Fire of 1835. There is also information about Japanese Christian martyrs here as well.
There is a second room which makes use of excavations of the old chapel of the ancient church between 1990-96. The unearthed space was converted into museum which now houses a handful of sacred art in the form of wooden statue, religious figures, liturgical vessels and oil paintings. You can view all in just a few minutes. The collection is much smaller than the Sacred Art Museums at St. Dominic's (near Senado Square) and St. Joseph's Church (near St. Augustine's Square).
Given the museum's location, it is convenient to pop in and visit as part of your exploration of the grounds around the Ruin's of St. Paul's. However, if you are short on time and wanting to visit only one of the Sacred Art museums in the World Heritage area, I'd suggest targeting St. Dominic's Church first. That is the largest of these museums with several floors of interesting historic treasures and relics to view in the building attached to St. Dominics.
The museum makes use of rooms, including the old Church of Mater Dei crypt where there is a tomb which is believed to hold the remains of Father Alexander Valignano, founder of the historic St. Paul's Collect which was historically located just next to the church. Both were destroyed during the Great Fire of 1835. There is also information about Japanese Christian martyrs here as well.
There is a second room which makes use of excavations of the old chapel of the ancient church between 1990-96. The unearthed space was converted into museum which now houses a handful of sacred art in the form of wooden statue, religious figures, liturgical vessels and oil paintings. You can view all in just a few minutes. The collection is much smaller than the Sacred Art Museums at St. Dominic's (near Senado Square) and St. Joseph's Church (near St. Augustine's Square).
Given the museum's location, it is convenient to pop in and visit as part of your exploration of the grounds around the Ruin's of St. Paul's. However, if you are short on time and wanting to visit only one of the Sacred Art museums in the World Heritage area, I'd suggest targeting St. Dominic's Church first. That is the largest of these museums with several floors of interesting historic treasures and relics to view in the building attached to St. Dominics.
Written February 8, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BradJill
Hong Kong, China159,176 contributions
Feb 2019 • Solo
An interesting addition to the Ruins of St. Paul are the Museum of the Sacred Art and Crypt both of which you enter from the back of the ruins. Opening hours are 9-6pm (Wed to Mon) and 9-2pm (Tues) and entry is free.
The first room you enter is a darkly lit crypt with the remnants of a historic tomb which is believed to hold the remains of Father Alexander Valignano, the founder of the historic St. Paul's College. You'll also find the names of martyrs killed during missionary service in Japan in the early 17th century.
In the second room, there is a narrow glass case containing Catholic artefacts, some of which are related to the former Church of Mater Dei, which stood on these grounds before being destroyed by the great fire in 1835. You'll see interesting woodworks, sacred paintings and other religious items similar to what you will find at the similar small museums at St. Dominic's Church and the Holy House of Mercy at Senado Square.
Take whatever pictures you like and enjoy what is no more than a 3-5 minute inclusion to your visit to the Ruins of St. Paul's. Then carry on with other intended sightseeing.
The first room you enter is a darkly lit crypt with the remnants of a historic tomb which is believed to hold the remains of Father Alexander Valignano, the founder of the historic St. Paul's College. You'll also find the names of martyrs killed during missionary service in Japan in the early 17th century.
In the second room, there is a narrow glass case containing Catholic artefacts, some of which are related to the former Church of Mater Dei, which stood on these grounds before being destroyed by the great fire in 1835. You'll see interesting woodworks, sacred paintings and other religious items similar to what you will find at the similar small museums at St. Dominic's Church and the Holy House of Mercy at Senado Square.
Take whatever pictures you like and enjoy what is no more than a 3-5 minute inclusion to your visit to the Ruins of St. Paul's. Then carry on with other intended sightseeing.
Written February 8, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BradJill
Hong Kong, China159,176 contributions
Apr 2012 • Couples
After visiting the Ruins of St. Paul, you can enter the small Crypt and downstairs Museum of Sacred Art. Within the crypt you can see the skeletal remains of Japanese and Vietnamese martyrs but the area is very small so you only spend about one or two minutes here.
In the museum gallery area, also downstairs, you can see historical items and paintings from the 16th to 19th century but this collection is quite small, requiring only 10-15 minutes to see everything.
Overall, the crypt and small collection in the museum are of moderate interest and probably only worth visiting if you are plan to see the Ruins of St. Paul and are going to be in this area of Macau anyway.
If you're not planning to visit the Ruins then no point seeking out this attraction, we'd suggest investing your time elsewhere in Macau.
In the museum gallery area, also downstairs, you can see historical items and paintings from the 16th to 19th century but this collection is quite small, requiring only 10-15 minutes to see everything.
Overall, the crypt and small collection in the museum are of moderate interest and probably only worth visiting if you are plan to see the Ruins of St. Paul and are going to be in this area of Macau anyway.
If you're not planning to visit the Ruins then no point seeking out this attraction, we'd suggest investing your time elsewhere in Macau.
Written April 8, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jblaza
Marikina, Philippines534 contributions
Jan 2018 • Solo
The Museum of Sacred Art in Macau houses more than Sacred Art—it is a shrine where the relics of Saints and Blesseds are kept and displayed.
The museum is located behind the facade of the Ruins of St. Paul in what used to be the crypt of the old church. The Ruins of St. Paul with its Museum of Sacred Art and Crypt are significant historical monuments of the Historic Centre of Macao and is one of Macau’s most famous landmarks. The Historic Centre of Macao was officially listed as UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site in July 2005. The Museum is divided into two parts: the Crypt itself and the Museum of Sacred Arts. Both sections are air-conditioned and feature free admission.
The Chapel-crypt was built on the same location where the main altar of the Church once stood. The bronze cross in the middle marks the tomb of Jesuit Missionary Alessandro Valignano who founded St. Paul’s College. Inside the glass-fronted reliquaries enclose the mortal remains of the Martyrs of Japan (beatified on 24 November 2008) and the Martyrs of Vietnam, including Bl. Andre of Phuyen (the first Martyr of Vietnam, beatified on 05 March 2000). I spent several minutes in the area praying before the relics of these Blessed Martyrs before heading to the Museum of Sacred Art.
The Museum of Sacred Art houses artifacts from the 16-20th centuries including items relevant to the history of the Church of St. Paul. The items were labeled and the inscriptions were in Chinese, English, Portuguese and Japanese. There were three relics on display—one belonging to Blessed Charles Spinola, a Jesuit priest martyred in Japan in 1622 and beatified on 07 May 1867 alongside 204 other Martyrs of Japan; it was Bl. Charles Spinola who directed the carving of the surviving stone facade of the Church of St. Paul. Unfortunately, I was not able to read the identification of the other two relics and there were no markers identifying them. I asked the guard on duty about the unnamed relics and he claimed to not understand English. There are only a few items, mostly religious imagery, in the short corridor that served as the museum. I spent a few more minutes here before heading back outside.
As I headed out, I noticed a set of staircases that lead upstairs. It brought me to a balcony overlooking the Crypt and the reliquaries of the Martyrs. I was able to spend more time in prayer and solitude away from the crowd.
Outside the air-conditioned Museum of Sacred Art and Crypt are excavations Church of St. Paul featuring the south wall of the Chapel of St. Francis Xavier and walls of the tomb of Andre Coelho Vieira who was once governor of Macau, Solor, and Portuguese Timor.
For a Catholic like me, it is a very holy site because the relics—physical remains of Saints and Blesseds—are kept and displayed in the site. It is appalling and dismaying that there are plenty of tourists who are not informed and simply disregard the spiritual significance of the site. I hope the museum management takes extra effort to ensure that the place, especially the crypt, is properly respected. Moreover, extra care should be taken so that those who pray before the relics are accorded the proper peace and solitude.
The museum is located behind the facade of the Ruins of St. Paul in what used to be the crypt of the old church. The Ruins of St. Paul with its Museum of Sacred Art and Crypt are significant historical monuments of the Historic Centre of Macao and is one of Macau’s most famous landmarks. The Historic Centre of Macao was officially listed as UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site in July 2005. The Museum is divided into two parts: the Crypt itself and the Museum of Sacred Arts. Both sections are air-conditioned and feature free admission.
The Chapel-crypt was built on the same location where the main altar of the Church once stood. The bronze cross in the middle marks the tomb of Jesuit Missionary Alessandro Valignano who founded St. Paul’s College. Inside the glass-fronted reliquaries enclose the mortal remains of the Martyrs of Japan (beatified on 24 November 2008) and the Martyrs of Vietnam, including Bl. Andre of Phuyen (the first Martyr of Vietnam, beatified on 05 March 2000). I spent several minutes in the area praying before the relics of these Blessed Martyrs before heading to the Museum of Sacred Art.
The Museum of Sacred Art houses artifacts from the 16-20th centuries including items relevant to the history of the Church of St. Paul. The items were labeled and the inscriptions were in Chinese, English, Portuguese and Japanese. There were three relics on display—one belonging to Blessed Charles Spinola, a Jesuit priest martyred in Japan in 1622 and beatified on 07 May 1867 alongside 204 other Martyrs of Japan; it was Bl. Charles Spinola who directed the carving of the surviving stone facade of the Church of St. Paul. Unfortunately, I was not able to read the identification of the other two relics and there were no markers identifying them. I asked the guard on duty about the unnamed relics and he claimed to not understand English. There are only a few items, mostly religious imagery, in the short corridor that served as the museum. I spent a few more minutes here before heading back outside.
As I headed out, I noticed a set of staircases that lead upstairs. It brought me to a balcony overlooking the Crypt and the reliquaries of the Martyrs. I was able to spend more time in prayer and solitude away from the crowd.
Outside the air-conditioned Museum of Sacred Art and Crypt are excavations Church of St. Paul featuring the south wall of the Chapel of St. Francis Xavier and walls of the tomb of Andre Coelho Vieira who was once governor of Macau, Solor, and Portuguese Timor.
For a Catholic like me, it is a very holy site because the relics—physical remains of Saints and Blesseds—are kept and displayed in the site. It is appalling and dismaying that there are plenty of tourists who are not informed and simply disregard the spiritual significance of the site. I hope the museum management takes extra effort to ensure that the place, especially the crypt, is properly respected. Moreover, extra care should be taken so that those who pray before the relics are accorded the proper peace and solitude.
Written November 7, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cirque
Jakarta, Indonesia8,163 contributions
This museum is located on the ground of where St. Paul's Cathedral used to stand. To access the museum one can access the staircase and get down the basement. Basically it is a small space with 1 wing displaying some artifacts related to Catholic Church and huge pictures of Jesus and other saints. The crypt is located in the middle of the building in between 2 staircases. It supposed to be a quiet walk in order for someone to fully enjoying the whole thing, but being located in the same site with Ruins of St. Paul's Cathedral (Macau's #1 tourist destination), there is no chance one could experience this in solemnity.
Security is non-existence here and tourists just ignore the posted signs and placards; one of the notable one is "No flash photography" and "Please be quiet". They're (especially those joining tour groups) just shout at each other to give direction where they should be headed.
I would give the whole collection and museum 4/5
But the experience itself is 2/5 at best.
Security is non-existence here and tourists just ignore the posted signs and placards; one of the notable one is "No flash photography" and "Please be quiet". They're (especially those joining tour groups) just shout at each other to give direction where they should be headed.
I would give the whole collection and museum 4/5
But the experience itself is 2/5 at best.
Written November 27, 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hanna Daniella
Jakarta, Indonesia103 contributions
Aug 2019 • Friends
A really sacred place from the Ruins of St. Paul
You can access it behind the walls of the church. Be quiet and be careful.
You can access it behind the walls of the church. Be quiet and be careful.
Written September 1, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RachHSG
Geylang, Singapore93 contributions
Oct 2013 • Solo
I like museum generally. This is a very small exhibit of the sacred art but I like it because the items were thoughtfully spaced out and clearly labelled. The crypt was also interesting compared to the ones I seen in Europe. It's very small but very neat.
Both the crypt and the museum are located in the underground behind the ruins. It is side by side and you would visit the crypt first followed by the museum. And yes both places are air con ;)
Both the crypt and the museum are located in the underground behind the ruins. It is side by side and you would visit the crypt first followed by the museum. And yes both places are air con ;)
Written October 19, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lets Go To Macau! 🇲🇴
Macau, China2,248 contributions
Apr 2018 • Solo
Several of the UNESCO World Heritage attractions in the Historic Centre of Macau have small accompanying museums. This includes the Ruins of St. Paul which includes the Museum of Sacred Art and Crypt that can be visited at the back of the ruins.
Here visitors can few a small crypt and tomb which is believed to hold the remains of the founder of St. Pauls' College, Father Alexander Valignano (1539-1606). There are also missionary martyr relics as well as a side room with historic church artefacts, woodworks and sacred pairings that can be viewed.
The museum (free entry) is open from 9-6pm (Wed to Mon) an 9-2pm (Tuesday). It can be conveniently viewed in 10-15 minutes after exploring the grounds of the Ruins of St. Paul.
Here visitors can few a small crypt and tomb which is believed to hold the remains of the founder of St. Pauls' College, Father Alexander Valignano (1539-1606). There are also missionary martyr relics as well as a side room with historic church artefacts, woodworks and sacred pairings that can be viewed.
The museum (free entry) is open from 9-6pm (Wed to Mon) an 9-2pm (Tuesday). It can be conveniently viewed in 10-15 minutes after exploring the grounds of the Ruins of St. Paul.
Written January 21, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sarah53187
Dunedin, New Zealand618 contributions
Oct 2016 • Couples
This small - very small - museum only takes 5 or 10 minutes to see in full. It's a nice way to add some more context to a visit to the Ruins of St Pauls. It's also great to catch some air conditioning on a hot day.
Written May 31, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
parmarpritish
Pimpri-Chinchwad, India379 contributions
Oct 2016
This museum is part of the Ruins of St Paul and it is just inside the ruins (Church) gate. Nothing great but don’t mind to spend 10-15 mins if you are curious and you are already there at the ruins.
Timings: 9AM to 6PM, Free Entry
Timings: 9AM to 6PM, Free Entry
Written November 15, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Museum of Sacred Art and Crypt
- Museum of Sacred Art and Crypt is open:
- Tue - Tue 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
- Wed - Mon 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
- Hotels near Museum of Sacred Art and Crypt:
- (0.30 mi) Sofitel Macau At Ponte 16
- (0.14 mi) Dormy Boutique Hostel
- (0.17 mi) Holiday Hotel Macau
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- Restaurants near Museum of Sacred Art and Crypt:
- (0.06 mi) MacauSoul
- (0.08 mi) Koi Kei Bakery- Rua S. Paulo
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