St. Anthony's Church
St. Anthony's Church
4
7:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Monday
7:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Tuesday
7:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Wednesday
7:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Thursday
7:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Friday
7:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Saturday
7:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Sunday
7:30 AM - 5:30 PM
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4.0
92 reviews
Excellent
18
Very good
41
Average
32
Poor
0
Terrible
1
Brad
Hong Kong, China180,618 contributions
Oct 2024 • Solo
Located just across the street from Camoes Square and Park, this is one of the UNESCO World Heritage catholic churches in the Historic Centre of Macau. It is located very near to fellow World Heritage attraction, the Protestant Cemetery and Casa Garden.
The church history dates back to the 1560s However, what you see today is a Neo-classical building from the 1930s. The facade is modest and fronted by a single bell tower, similar to Se (Cathedral) which is situated just off Senado Square.
The interior stays true to classic Portuguese colonial form with modest decor, soft colours with hints of Baroque. Outside the church is a stone cross on the base is the engraved year of 1638 the year a previous church building here was constructed.
The church history dates back to the 1560s However, what you see today is a Neo-classical building from the 1930s. The facade is modest and fronted by a single bell tower, similar to Se (Cathedral) which is situated just off Senado Square.
The interior stays true to classic Portuguese colonial form with modest decor, soft colours with hints of Baroque. Outside the church is a stone cross on the base is the engraved year of 1638 the year a previous church building here was constructed.
Written October 30, 2024
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.
Thangam M
Chennai1,460 contributions
Mar 2012 • Family
In a city with very old churches, the unpretentious St Anthony's Church (Igreja de Santo António), has the distinction of being one of the oldest churches in Macau along with St. Lawrence’s Church and the Cathedral. The church building stands on the site of the very first chapel in Macau that dates to 1558. A plaque by its door records the long and chequered history of the present structure in pithy form: "Built in 1638. Burnt in 1809. Rebuilt in 1810. Burnt again in 1874. Repaired in 1875".
After yet another fire this church went through one more restoration in 1930, followed by further renovation of its tower and façade in 1940. The Church named after St. Anthony of Padua, was favoured by the Portuguese for weddings and thus acquired its Chinese name “Fa Vong Tong” (which translates to Church of Flowers). Even more significantly, it served as the first headquarters of the Jesuits in Macau.
St Anthony is revered the world over as the patron saint for lost articles, and is credited with several miracles involving lost people and things. However in Portugal, he is known as a marriage saint, and there is folklore of him reconciling couples. In Lisbon from where he hailed, his feast day on June 13 is celebrated with parades and is considered auspicious for marriages.
In Macau, St. Anthony is known as the patron saint of seafarers. St. Anthony is also revered as a "military" saint with the rank of "Captain" in the Portuguese army. At a ceremony every year on June 13, his feast day, the President of the Senate presents him two hundred forty taels equivalent to a captain's annual salary as "wages" for his services – and his statue is carried on a platform by a regiment of soldiers in a procession to inspect the remains of the old city battlements. Apparently, these wages were given even until a few years ago!
At this church, granite steps lead up to a simple green wrought iron gate flanked by rectangular granite pillars topped with decorative glass-sided lamps. The church courtyard is laid with functional granite slabs. The church building with a simple granite façade has two storeys. These two storeys are topped by a large, triangular pediment that is further embellished by the outline of a metal cross atop it. Within the pediment, a recessed oval niche contains a statue of the saint in chocolate coloured robes carrying the infant Jesus.
The doors on the ground floor and the windows on the upper floor are painted deep green and sport elegant ornamentation above them. Unlike the other churches in Macau, this church façade is not symmetrical – when facing the church, on the right there is a belfry richly ornamented at the top that is even higher than the pediment.
Bereft of any great ornamentation, the church interiors are simple and elegant. The interior walls in cream are topped by a curved wooden roof in a darker shade of cream. There is a central aisle and aisles on both sides of the pews. Elegant wooden doors with patterned glass lead into the church from the sides. A dozen metal chandeliers are suspended from the roof. The simple red carpeted altar embellished by the IHS symbol on top, supported by cylindrical white pillars is in consonance with the rest of the church interior and shows Christ on the Holy Cross.
We were especially interested in the facts about this church since devotion to St. Anthony is widespread throughout our home country India, and particularly in the state of Tamilnadu, where we stay. In Tamilnadu, the most famous St. Anthony’s church is the one at Uvari in Tirunelveli district. The story goes that some 450 years ago, the crew of a Portuguese ship sailing near the Tirunelveli coast contracted cholera. In despair, the ship’s carpenter hewed an image of St. Anthony from a block of wood and soon thereafter the crew regained their health. When the ship docked at Uvari the seamen set up this wooden statue in a hut in the village. Later, the villagers built a church with the original wooden statue of St. Anthony holding the infant Jesus and in view of the many miracles ascribed to this church, it was later upgraded to a shrine. Today, Uvari is visited by pilgrims of different religions from all over South India and St. Anthony is revered as the “Miracle Saint".
HINTS:
1. St. Anthony’s Church is an easy walk from the Ruins of St. Paul’s. If you walk from St. Paul’s, get onto Calçada de Sao Francisco Xavier, turn right on Rua de Sao Paulo and continue on to Rua de Santo Antonio. Rua de Sao Paulo is good for souvenir shopping. Rua de Santo Antonio is filled with shops selling antiques, reproduction furniture, exquisite ceramic statuettes and pottery – if you aren’t buying, make sure to at least do some window shopping here.
2. For more about the legend of St. Anthony of Padua have a look at http://www.saintanthonyofpadua.net/portale/home.asp
3. Right across from St. Anthony’s Church is Camoes Garden and Grotto – please don’t miss out on these wondrous gardens and the many splendid photo opportunities they offer.
After yet another fire this church went through one more restoration in 1930, followed by further renovation of its tower and façade in 1940. The Church named after St. Anthony of Padua, was favoured by the Portuguese for weddings and thus acquired its Chinese name “Fa Vong Tong” (which translates to Church of Flowers). Even more significantly, it served as the first headquarters of the Jesuits in Macau.
St Anthony is revered the world over as the patron saint for lost articles, and is credited with several miracles involving lost people and things. However in Portugal, he is known as a marriage saint, and there is folklore of him reconciling couples. In Lisbon from where he hailed, his feast day on June 13 is celebrated with parades and is considered auspicious for marriages.
In Macau, St. Anthony is known as the patron saint of seafarers. St. Anthony is also revered as a "military" saint with the rank of "Captain" in the Portuguese army. At a ceremony every year on June 13, his feast day, the President of the Senate presents him two hundred forty taels equivalent to a captain's annual salary as "wages" for his services – and his statue is carried on a platform by a regiment of soldiers in a procession to inspect the remains of the old city battlements. Apparently, these wages were given even until a few years ago!
At this church, granite steps lead up to a simple green wrought iron gate flanked by rectangular granite pillars topped with decorative glass-sided lamps. The church courtyard is laid with functional granite slabs. The church building with a simple granite façade has two storeys. These two storeys are topped by a large, triangular pediment that is further embellished by the outline of a metal cross atop it. Within the pediment, a recessed oval niche contains a statue of the saint in chocolate coloured robes carrying the infant Jesus.
The doors on the ground floor and the windows on the upper floor are painted deep green and sport elegant ornamentation above them. Unlike the other churches in Macau, this church façade is not symmetrical – when facing the church, on the right there is a belfry richly ornamented at the top that is even higher than the pediment.
Bereft of any great ornamentation, the church interiors are simple and elegant. The interior walls in cream are topped by a curved wooden roof in a darker shade of cream. There is a central aisle and aisles on both sides of the pews. Elegant wooden doors with patterned glass lead into the church from the sides. A dozen metal chandeliers are suspended from the roof. The simple red carpeted altar embellished by the IHS symbol on top, supported by cylindrical white pillars is in consonance with the rest of the church interior and shows Christ on the Holy Cross.
We were especially interested in the facts about this church since devotion to St. Anthony is widespread throughout our home country India, and particularly in the state of Tamilnadu, where we stay. In Tamilnadu, the most famous St. Anthony’s church is the one at Uvari in Tirunelveli district. The story goes that some 450 years ago, the crew of a Portuguese ship sailing near the Tirunelveli coast contracted cholera. In despair, the ship’s carpenter hewed an image of St. Anthony from a block of wood and soon thereafter the crew regained their health. When the ship docked at Uvari the seamen set up this wooden statue in a hut in the village. Later, the villagers built a church with the original wooden statue of St. Anthony holding the infant Jesus and in view of the many miracles ascribed to this church, it was later upgraded to a shrine. Today, Uvari is visited by pilgrims of different religions from all over South India and St. Anthony is revered as the “Miracle Saint".
HINTS:
1. St. Anthony’s Church is an easy walk from the Ruins of St. Paul’s. If you walk from St. Paul’s, get onto Calçada de Sao Francisco Xavier, turn right on Rua de Sao Paulo and continue on to Rua de Santo Antonio. Rua de Sao Paulo is good for souvenir shopping. Rua de Santo Antonio is filled with shops selling antiques, reproduction furniture, exquisite ceramic statuettes and pottery – if you aren’t buying, make sure to at least do some window shopping here.
2. For more about the legend of St. Anthony of Padua have a look at http://www.saintanthonyofpadua.net/portale/home.asp
3. Right across from St. Anthony’s Church is Camoes Garden and Grotto – please don’t miss out on these wondrous gardens and the many splendid photo opportunities they offer.
Written July 25, 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.
Anthony G
Shanghai, China779 contributions
Jan 2012 • Couples
There are much better reviews than mine (see for instance the next review), but I couldn’t resist to rate my own church, St. Anthony’s Church, being my Patron Saint. One of the oldest churches in Macau dated before 1560. A very nice church though; close to the Luis de Camoes Garden & Grotto and the Old Protestant Cemetery.
Written August 31, 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.
Brad
Hong Kong, China180,618 contributions
Apr 2012 • Couples
St. Anthony's Church is near the top end of the UNESCO World Heritage collection, along with fellow UNESCO attractions like the Old Protestant Cemetery, Casa Garden and the non-UNESCO attraction called Camoes Garden and Grotto.
Historically, this church, dedicated to St. Micheal of Padua and is built on the site of the very first chapel in Macau. It has also traditionally been an popular church for local marriages. Inside there is a moderately interesting alter area as well as a conservative and simple nave area, common for Portuguese and Spanish influenced churches and cathedrals. The outside facade is of the neoclassical design instead of the classic traditional facades seen in many of Macau historical churches.
Overall, a visit to St. Anthony and the other attractions in this area take no longer than one hour to visit collectively. However, if you are short on time in Macau, this is part of the World Heritage group that we'd suggest skipping so that you can concentrate your time on more important and interesting UNESCO and non-UNESCO attractions, starting from the Ruins of St. Paul down to A-Ma Temple.
If you are simply interested in Church visits, we would suggest targeting St. Dominic, St. Lawrence, and St. Augustine first. These are each UNESCO World Heritage attractions which you can find on the trail suggested above, each are more attractive and interesting visits in our view.
Historically, this church, dedicated to St. Micheal of Padua and is built on the site of the very first chapel in Macau. It has also traditionally been an popular church for local marriages. Inside there is a moderately interesting alter area as well as a conservative and simple nave area, common for Portuguese and Spanish influenced churches and cathedrals. The outside facade is of the neoclassical design instead of the classic traditional facades seen in many of Macau historical churches.
Overall, a visit to St. Anthony and the other attractions in this area take no longer than one hour to visit collectively. However, if you are short on time in Macau, this is part of the World Heritage group that we'd suggest skipping so that you can concentrate your time on more important and interesting UNESCO and non-UNESCO attractions, starting from the Ruins of St. Paul down to A-Ma Temple.
If you are simply interested in Church visits, we would suggest targeting St. Dominic, St. Lawrence, and St. Augustine first. These are each UNESCO World Heritage attractions which you can find on the trail suggested above, each are more attractive and interesting visits in our view.
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.
cath_rf
Lisbon, Portugal60 contributions
Oct 2010 • Friends
Santo Antonio is a portuguese saint, that died in his way to Padua. That's why he's called St.Antonio of Padua.
Anyways, this introduction only to explain that as a portuguese person, it's so funny to see a church dedicated to him in... China!
Wow the man was popular!
The church is nice, not the most beautiful building ever, but the atmosphere is cool, specially when there's couples there, taking pictures or getting married. I enjoyed it
Anyways, this introduction only to explain that as a portuguese person, it's so funny to see a church dedicated to him in... China!
Wow the man was popular!
The church is nice, not the most beautiful building ever, but the atmosphere is cool, specially when there's couples there, taking pictures or getting married. I enjoyed it
Written September 15, 2011
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.
Bentreguy
Sydney160 contributions
May 2013 • Solo
This beautiful church is just a short walk from the Ruins of St Paul's. Once you get to the top, keep walking and the signs will take you to this beautiful, quiet colonial church notable for its tortured statue of St. Sebastian, a must-see for all artists and writers (and Oscar Wilde fans!).
The church is also right next to the Luis de Camoes garden, which is an exquisite little piece of Macanese suburbia and well worth exploring - walk all the way to the top and then down the Buddhist terrace at the other side.
Also next to the church (before the garden entrance) are a couple of tiny Dim Sum (Yum Cha) shops that are cheap and wonderful. Visit them in the morning for a late breakfast and just point to the dishes you want.
The church is also right next to the Luis de Camoes garden, which is an exquisite little piece of Macanese suburbia and well worth exploring - walk all the way to the top and then down the Buddhist terrace at the other side.
Also next to the church (before the garden entrance) are a couple of tiny Dim Sum (Yum Cha) shops that are cheap and wonderful. Visit them in the morning for a late breakfast and just point to the dishes you want.
Written May 8, 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.
110kaianl
27 contributions
Nov 2016 • Solo
I knew from St. anthony church in the book called Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau, Chinese will call it the "faa wong tong", it is because there are many Catholics will hold there wedding here, and this street (flowers Street) are a lot of many flowers shop before and some shop sells the wedding supplies before. In fact, the Catholic Church has great relationship with Macao, if you want to know the history of Macao, you must understand the Catholic missionary background, I also contact with the Catholic Church because I attended primary school is a Catholic school, so I have a quite good impression to the nuns and priests. It is said that St. Anthony monks can help others to look for lost things, and he can also help people find a mate, so there are a lot of people will come here for a partner, but I think this seems to be the idol worship, rather than commemorate...
My visit time is on Saturday afternoon, this time is the end of the mass, but it is use in the Korean to emceed. This reminds me of the primary school graduation ceremony in the school have also held a mass, I seem to be surrounded by the solemn atmosphere. And then, the people are gone, I entered the church and I think there are big difference with other church, then I found a small room near the exit, the room is small hall to people repent. I am in change for 8 years, I becoming no mercy, no benevolence, I have only remain selfish, although I still believe the existence of God before , but now even began to doubt god......
This is my own feeling on visiting the church.
My visit time is on Saturday afternoon, this time is the end of the mass, but it is use in the Korean to emceed. This reminds me of the primary school graduation ceremony in the school have also held a mass, I seem to be surrounded by the solemn atmosphere. And then, the people are gone, I entered the church and I think there are big difference with other church, then I found a small room near the exit, the room is small hall to people repent. I am in change for 8 years, I becoming no mercy, no benevolence, I have only remain selfish, although I still believe the existence of God before , but now even began to doubt god......
This is my own feeling on visiting the church.
Written November 21, 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.
Leo R
Macau, China44 contributions
Sep 2016 • Family
The church is a ten minute walk from the chaotic crowds at the Ruins of St. Paul. You quickly escape that madness and have a nice stroll down a Macau cobbled stone street.
Historically, St. Anthony's is considered the first Catholic church in Macau. Saturdays around 4:30-4:45pm, they have English confession.
Historically, St. Anthony's is considered the first Catholic church in Macau. Saturdays around 4:30-4:45pm, they have English confession.
Written September 19, 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.
Brad
Hong Kong, China180,618 contributions
May 2015 • Couples
St. Anthony's is a Catholic church and UNESCO World Heritage attraction located on Rua de Santo Antonio, just across from Camoes Square and Park. This is a less frequently visited area of the Historic Centre of Macau, where you can escape crowds of Senado Square and the Ruins of St. Paul.
St. Anthony's Church is one of the oldest in Macau being originally built around 1560. Reconstructed numerous times over the centuries, it lacks the traditional Portuguese and colourful appearance of churches like St. Dominics, St. Augustine and St. Lawrence.
The present church was build in 1930 and features a simple neo-classical style facade and single tower, which in many ways looks quite similar to Cathedral, near Senado Square. The interior of the church, staying true to form for Portuguese colonial buildings, is quite modest yet the altar area offers a splash of baroque style and grace that is nice to see.
Again like Cathedral, there is a neat fountain just outside St. Anthony Church. There are also other World Heritage attractions, Casa Garden and the Protestant Cemetery just across the street. This is also where you find the entrance to Camoes Gardens and Grotto.
Overall, St. Anthony's is not one of the more popular church visits in Macau. The location is a bit isolated being the northern most of the World Heritage area. However, there are never crowds here, allowing you much more relaxed visits compared to what you can expect at Senado Square and the Ruin's of St. Paul. This is why we like spending time here.
Note: If you are making a day trip to Macau only, you might not have time to squeeze St. Anthony's into your itinerary. However, if making an overnight or multiple night stay and targeting the World Heritage attractions, it is worth fitting St. Anthony's and other attractions found at this area of city centre into your itinerary.
St. Anthony's Church is one of the oldest in Macau being originally built around 1560. Reconstructed numerous times over the centuries, it lacks the traditional Portuguese and colourful appearance of churches like St. Dominics, St. Augustine and St. Lawrence.
The present church was build in 1930 and features a simple neo-classical style facade and single tower, which in many ways looks quite similar to Cathedral, near Senado Square. The interior of the church, staying true to form for Portuguese colonial buildings, is quite modest yet the altar area offers a splash of baroque style and grace that is nice to see.
Again like Cathedral, there is a neat fountain just outside St. Anthony Church. There are also other World Heritage attractions, Casa Garden and the Protestant Cemetery just across the street. This is also where you find the entrance to Camoes Gardens and Grotto.
Overall, St. Anthony's is not one of the more popular church visits in Macau. The location is a bit isolated being the northern most of the World Heritage area. However, there are never crowds here, allowing you much more relaxed visits compared to what you can expect at Senado Square and the Ruin's of St. Paul. This is why we like spending time here.
Note: If you are making a day trip to Macau only, you might not have time to squeeze St. Anthony's into your itinerary. However, if making an overnight or multiple night stay and targeting the World Heritage attractions, it is worth fitting St. Anthony's and other attractions found at this area of city centre into your itinerary.
Written August 13, 2015
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.
Malou B
Quezon City, Philippines2,091 contributions
Jan 2014 • Family
These three jewels, St. Anthony's Church, Camoes Square, and the Protestant Cemetery, are just a short walk from St. Paul's Ruins which are easy to find if you follow the signs. The church is beautiful and quiet which allows you to pray and meditate. As a Catholic, this was a welcome place. Sunday services are regularly held in the church. A short walk down the road, near the bus stop is a very nice garden (with toilets) where you can stop and rest again. Then to the right, is the
Protestant cemetery and chapel. Groups of more than 5 have to inform the caretaker. Otherwise, you can wander in and stroll around and take pictures. We would have wanted to enter the Casa Garden but it is closed on Sundays and holidays. We got lost and wandered into the streets and found a Chinese temple! We easily found ourselves back on the main road.
Protestant cemetery and chapel. Groups of more than 5 have to inform the caretaker. Otherwise, you can wander in and stroll around and take pictures. We would have wanted to enter the Casa Garden but it is closed on Sundays and holidays. We got lost and wandered into the streets and found a Chinese temple! We easily found ourselves back on the main road.
Written January 30, 2014
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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