St. Augustine Square
St. Augustine Square
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179 reviews
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BradJill
Hong Kong, China158,670 contributions
Jan 2023
St. Augustine is one of four public squares that make up the Historic Centre of Macau. This small square is one of the most picturesque streetscapes in the city, lined with World Heritage buildings of early Portuguese colonial architecture. It is a quaint place and spend time sightseeing during trips to Macau.
The World Heritage buildings include St. Augustine's Church (for which the square is named), St. Joseph's Church and Seminary (entrance a couple blocks southwest on Rua do Seminario), Sir Robert Ho Tung Library and the Dom Pedro V Theatre. Collectively, the attractions here can be conveniently visited in 30-45 minutes.
It is also very interesting visiting the square during various holiday events and festivals that take place throughout the year. The Golden Dragon Parade passes by here during CNY, posing for photographs in front of both St. Augustine's Church and the Dom Pedro V Theatre. The Procession of the Passion of Christ passes through the square and the annual Winter Light Programmes usually place installations here, these are interesting to see if passing by after hours.
The World Heritage buildings include St. Augustine's Church (for which the square is named), St. Joseph's Church and Seminary (entrance a couple blocks southwest on Rua do Seminario), Sir Robert Ho Tung Library and the Dom Pedro V Theatre. Collectively, the attractions here can be conveniently visited in 30-45 minutes.
It is also very interesting visiting the square during various holiday events and festivals that take place throughout the year. The Golden Dragon Parade passes by here during CNY, posing for photographs in front of both St. Augustine's Church and the Dom Pedro V Theatre. The Procession of the Passion of Christ passes through the square and the annual Winter Light Programmes usually place installations here, these are interesting to see if passing by after hours.
Written January 25, 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.
luxuryvoyage
Switzerland3,299 contributions
Nov 2019
Nice square with restored colonial buildings along the streets. Between Senado Square and many places of interest such as Mandarin House, the theatre and churches. Much quieter and less tourists compared to Senado Square. No shops or restaurants, more a place of transit.
Written January 5, 2020
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, China158,670 contributions
Jan 2012 • Couples
We visited St. Augustine church and nearby attractions recently, stopping by St. Augustine Square for a few minutes to rest our feet. The square is cute, with cobble stone streets that you can find this in many areas around historic Macau. The main appeal of this square is the number of UNESCO attractions which are located directly around it.
The main attraction here is St. Augustine Church. However, you can also visit the Sir Robert Ho Tung Library, the Dom Pedro V Theatre and St. Joseph Seminary and Church. The location of St. Auqustine Square is approx. 6-8 minute walk from Avenida de Almeida Ribeiro, where visitors are usually dropped off to begin their visits to the Historic Centre of Macau. If you go south and southwest, this is one of the first areas you will find that has the UNESCO attractions.
We liked this area because of the cluster of attractions here, recommending it in general. However, the square itself is not really the reason to come here, its the many attractions located within a stone's throw distance from St. Augustine Square.
The main attraction here is St. Augustine Church. However, you can also visit the Sir Robert Ho Tung Library, the Dom Pedro V Theatre and St. Joseph Seminary and Church. The location of St. Auqustine Square is approx. 6-8 minute walk from Avenida de Almeida Ribeiro, where visitors are usually dropped off to begin their visits to the Historic Centre of Macau. If you go south and southwest, this is one of the first areas you will find that has the UNESCO attractions.
We liked this area because of the cluster of attractions here, recommending it in general. However, the square itself is not really the reason to come here, its the many attractions located within a stone's throw distance from St. Augustine Square.
Written January 27, 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.
Mark D
Penang Island, Malaysia1,302 contributions
Jan 2018 • Couples
The very pleasant and peaceful walk from Senado Square and then making one's way to St. Augustine's Square is truly a "delightful treasure"-- as well as an enormous change from the "Hustle and Bustle" and "modernity" of Macau's large casino hotels and large shopping centres. There usually are only a few few tourists.. and one will see many "locals"... but the UNESCO World Heritage buildings are really very interesting as they convey Macau's Portuguese and Chinese "hybrid history". In he early evening--- when it is cooler, it is a "must see/experience" when visiting Macau-- and one can also give some thought as to "the Other Face" of this wonderful city !!
Written February 19, 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.
BradJill
Hong Kong, China158,670 contributions
Aug 2014 • Couples
St. Augustine Square has become more popular in the past couple of years yet it continues to see a mere fraction of the number of visitors that descend upon the famous Senado Square just 4-5 minutes walk away.
Interestingly, there are 4 World Heritage attractions on the tiny St. Augustine Square but it maintains a quiet, tranquil feel, making it a very nice place to visit and spend a bit of time during your trip to Macau.
We very much enjoy spending time at St. Augustine Square, enjoying the attractions here, which can collectively be visited in 30-45 minutes depending on how much you enjoy what you are seeing.
We also very much like a local coffee shop called Terra Coffee, which opened here a couple years ago. This is a great place to stop for a cup of hand-brewed or iced coffee in between your sightseeing endeavours.
For those looking to escape the crowds that focus on the area of Senado Square to the Ruins of St. Paul, we highly recommend making your way to St. Augustine Square to see the attractions here.
You can then walk the short distance to see St. Lawrence Church and St. Joseph's Church, two of our personal favourites in Macau. Later, you can proceed onward to the Mandarin's House, Moorish Barracks and then A-Ma Temple, making a great way to spend a few hours of your time in Macau.
Interestingly, there are 4 World Heritage attractions on the tiny St. Augustine Square but it maintains a quiet, tranquil feel, making it a very nice place to visit and spend a bit of time during your trip to Macau.
We very much enjoy spending time at St. Augustine Square, enjoying the attractions here, which can collectively be visited in 30-45 minutes depending on how much you enjoy what you are seeing.
We also very much like a local coffee shop called Terra Coffee, which opened here a couple years ago. This is a great place to stop for a cup of hand-brewed or iced coffee in between your sightseeing endeavours.
For those looking to escape the crowds that focus on the area of Senado Square to the Ruins of St. Paul, we highly recommend making your way to St. Augustine Square to see the attractions here.
You can then walk the short distance to see St. Lawrence Church and St. Joseph's Church, two of our personal favourites in Macau. Later, you can proceed onward to the Mandarin's House, Moorish Barracks and then A-Ma Temple, making a great way to spend a few hours of your time in Macau.
Written September 19, 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.
leisurepleasure
Vancouver, Canada63 contributions
May 2015 • Friends
We visited St. Augustine Church just off the Square. Different from most churches where the altar is topped with the statue of Jesus on the cross, the statue above the altar in St. Augustine Church is of Jeses carrying the cross. Legend has it that the statue was ordered by Church authorities to be moved to the Cathedral. However, it mysteriously appeared back on the alter of St. Augustine Church the next day. On the first Sunday of Lent, the statue is carried to the Cathedral where it stays for the night and returned in a procession through the streets to St. Augustine Church. Look behind the altar for the tomb of Maria de Moura who married Captain Antonio Albuquerque Coelho who was attacked and had an arm severed by one of her unsuccessful suitors. When she died in childbirth, she was buried with her baby and her husband's arm.
Written July 14, 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.
Thangam M
Chennai1,466 contributions
Mar 2012 • Family
Igreja de Sãnto Agostinho or St. Augustine’s Church, also has a rather intriguing Chinese name – “Long Soi Miu” or the Temple of the Long-whiskered Dragon! Since it was a very basic structure in its early years, to protect the church from rain, the priests here used to cover the roof with fronds of the fan palm. From a distance these leaves looked like dragon’s whiskers waving in the wind and hence the fanciful name. The church is open from 10am to 6pm.
St. Augustine’s Church which dates back to 1586, was set up by priests of the Spanish Augustinian order but was taken over by the Portuguese Augustinians a few years later. These priests apparently supported more liberal ideas as compared to those espoused by the Jesuit headquarters in Rome, and as a consequence were expelled by Rome in 1712 after their having been in Macau for over 125 years. The Augustinian order was later revived by priests who came to Macau around the year 1900. This church apparently receives considerable patronage from the local Filipino community.
St. Augustine’s which continues to follow the age old tradition of the Easter Procession through the city, is steeped in religious folk lore. One story has it that when the statue of Christ here was moved to the Cathedral by church authorities, it would mysteriously return to this church – to mark this, the procession of Our Lord of the Passion (“Nosso Senhor dos Passos”) is held every year on the first Sunday of Lent. These days, the statue is taken to the Cathedral for a night, carried through the streets the next day and brought back to St. Augustine's. Another story is that in 1712 when the Augustinian priests were expelled, the procession was also banned. Inexplicably, there was a sudden food shortage. People immediately attributed it to the ban and demanded that the procession resume – which it did of course, and to everyone’s relief, the food shortage also ended!
An aside: Right behind the main altar of this church is the spot where Maria de Moura is buried along with her baby. Having married him in 1710, she was the wife of Captain António Albuquerque Coelho who lost an arm in a fight with one of her suitors. Unfortunately, Maria died during childbirth a few years later.
St. Augustine’s Church is located on Largo de Santo Agostinho (St. Augustine's Square), a Portuguese style cobblestoned piazza which has other historic buildings as well. Renovated in 1814 and done primarily in pastel yellow, this church looks simple and yet very distinctive. The window frames and louvers are painted dark green while the pilasters and volutes are in white (reminiscent of St. Dominic’s Church, this seems to be a popular colour scheme for Macau churches). The main entrance door is flanked by two pairs of Doric granite columns. The windows on the façade are bordered with white plasterwork. A triangular pediment atop the façade has a nice which holds a statue of the Virgin Mary and Child.
While it is nowhere near as grand as St. Dominic’s Church, the broad layout of the interior of St. Augustine’s is quite similar. The colour scheme within the church echoes the exterior – pastel yellow, white and light green. The nave is divided into three sections by archways supported on rectangular columns – there are three aisles – a central aisle and aisles on both sides. The light green wooden ceiling is also divided into three sections – the central section of the ceiling is flat while the sides are curved to meet the high walls. There are side altars and niches on the walls leading up to the main altar and apron balconies on the side walls. The marble-covered elevated altar contains a statue of Christ bearing the cross, Our Lord of the Passion.
TIPS:
1. This lovely locality starting with St. Lawrence’s Church and going on to the various heritage buildings on St. Augustine’s Square is bound to turn you nostalgic for an earlier era – it offers many locations for some truly wonderful snaps, so make the most of it.
2. Virtually opposite the church is the stately, elegant jade green Dom Pedro V Theatre which was commissioned some 150 years ago and was the first western style theatre in China. Do also have a quick look at St. Joseph's Seminary and Sir Robert Ho Tung Library both of which are also on St. Augustine's Square.
3. The cobblestoned St. Augustine’s Square is one of the most restful places we came across in Macau. Sloping slightly downwards, it has the typical wavy pattern mosaic floor seen on Senado Square and Barra Square. However, what makes it even more special is (a) the old green wrought iron gas lamps on the sides of the square from which are suspended baskets of blooms (b) the green park benches that just seem to extend an irresistible invitation to sit down (c) the buildings in pastel yellow with white windows shaded by green louvers – special mention needs to be made of the grand four storeyed Sede Banco Delta Asia building topped with green tiles (d) the fan palms that add one more lovely touch to the greenery (e) the café with the three tiered green roof on the left of the square with slatted wooden chairs welcoming you for an al fresco snack (f) the large white flower pots between the park benches containing the most vibrant blooms. Not one thing out of place – just soak in the peaceful ambience and don’t forget those snaps to take home with you.
St. Augustine’s Church which dates back to 1586, was set up by priests of the Spanish Augustinian order but was taken over by the Portuguese Augustinians a few years later. These priests apparently supported more liberal ideas as compared to those espoused by the Jesuit headquarters in Rome, and as a consequence were expelled by Rome in 1712 after their having been in Macau for over 125 years. The Augustinian order was later revived by priests who came to Macau around the year 1900. This church apparently receives considerable patronage from the local Filipino community.
St. Augustine’s which continues to follow the age old tradition of the Easter Procession through the city, is steeped in religious folk lore. One story has it that when the statue of Christ here was moved to the Cathedral by church authorities, it would mysteriously return to this church – to mark this, the procession of Our Lord of the Passion (“Nosso Senhor dos Passos”) is held every year on the first Sunday of Lent. These days, the statue is taken to the Cathedral for a night, carried through the streets the next day and brought back to St. Augustine's. Another story is that in 1712 when the Augustinian priests were expelled, the procession was also banned. Inexplicably, there was a sudden food shortage. People immediately attributed it to the ban and demanded that the procession resume – which it did of course, and to everyone’s relief, the food shortage also ended!
An aside: Right behind the main altar of this church is the spot where Maria de Moura is buried along with her baby. Having married him in 1710, she was the wife of Captain António Albuquerque Coelho who lost an arm in a fight with one of her suitors. Unfortunately, Maria died during childbirth a few years later.
St. Augustine’s Church is located on Largo de Santo Agostinho (St. Augustine's Square), a Portuguese style cobblestoned piazza which has other historic buildings as well. Renovated in 1814 and done primarily in pastel yellow, this church looks simple and yet very distinctive. The window frames and louvers are painted dark green while the pilasters and volutes are in white (reminiscent of St. Dominic’s Church, this seems to be a popular colour scheme for Macau churches). The main entrance door is flanked by two pairs of Doric granite columns. The windows on the façade are bordered with white plasterwork. A triangular pediment atop the façade has a nice which holds a statue of the Virgin Mary and Child.
While it is nowhere near as grand as St. Dominic’s Church, the broad layout of the interior of St. Augustine’s is quite similar. The colour scheme within the church echoes the exterior – pastel yellow, white and light green. The nave is divided into three sections by archways supported on rectangular columns – there are three aisles – a central aisle and aisles on both sides. The light green wooden ceiling is also divided into three sections – the central section of the ceiling is flat while the sides are curved to meet the high walls. There are side altars and niches on the walls leading up to the main altar and apron balconies on the side walls. The marble-covered elevated altar contains a statue of Christ bearing the cross, Our Lord of the Passion.
TIPS:
1. This lovely locality starting with St. Lawrence’s Church and going on to the various heritage buildings on St. Augustine’s Square is bound to turn you nostalgic for an earlier era – it offers many locations for some truly wonderful snaps, so make the most of it.
2. Virtually opposite the church is the stately, elegant jade green Dom Pedro V Theatre which was commissioned some 150 years ago and was the first western style theatre in China. Do also have a quick look at St. Joseph's Seminary and Sir Robert Ho Tung Library both of which are also on St. Augustine's Square.
3. The cobblestoned St. Augustine’s Square is one of the most restful places we came across in Macau. Sloping slightly downwards, it has the typical wavy pattern mosaic floor seen on Senado Square and Barra Square. However, what makes it even more special is (a) the old green wrought iron gas lamps on the sides of the square from which are suspended baskets of blooms (b) the green park benches that just seem to extend an irresistible invitation to sit down (c) the buildings in pastel yellow with white windows shaded by green louvers – special mention needs to be made of the grand four storeyed Sede Banco Delta Asia building topped with green tiles (d) the fan palms that add one more lovely touch to the greenery (e) the café with the three tiered green roof on the left of the square with slatted wooden chairs welcoming you for an al fresco snack (f) the large white flower pots between the park benches containing the most vibrant blooms. Not one thing out of place – just soak in the peaceful ambience and don’t forget those snaps to take home with you.
Written July 19, 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.
ermezmee
Jakarta, Indonesia464 contributions
Mar 2018
You can find some historical area within this alley, such as Igreja de Santo Agustinho, Dom Pedro Theatre, Sir Robert Ho Tung Library, Chapel of St. Joseph Seminary, St. Joseph Seminary & Church, & of course St. Laurence Church. If you feel tired get relaxed at St. Augustine Square Garden. You can reach this alley by foot from Senado Square, & then crossing this historical spot, walk a little bit & you will find Mandarin House. If your foot still ok, walks ahead & you will find A Ma temple.
Written April 4, 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.
188petere
Brisbane, Australia1,628 contributions
Nov 2017 • Friends
Surrounded by historic places is the square. It is tiny, not well sign posted & not worth making a special visit. You will walk through it going from tourist spot to another & probably not know you have.
Written November 5, 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.
daniworldstar
Bangkok, Thailand300 contributions
Sep 2016 • Solo
It was quiet even if it was only 20:00hrs. Only few tourists were there, not to mention about local people. The weather was nice to walk at night. I walked from Leal Senado. Just turn left and followed the sign. The way to the square was so steep. Finally, I was at the square. If you walk a bit further, it would be Sir Robert Ho Tung Library and Dom Pedro V Theatre. I was a bit surprised especially at night, there were guards in front of the square. The peaceful atmosphere was the reason why I liked to walk at night time.
Written October 7, 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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Claim your listingSt. Augustine Square - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about St. Augustine Square
- Hotels near St. Augustine Square:
- (0.10 mi) Ko Wah Hotel
- (0.12 mi) Metropole Hotel
- (0.20 mi) Grand Emperor Hotel
- (0.12 mi) The Oriental Hotel
- (0.17 mi) Ole London Hotel
- Restaurants near St. Augustine Square:
- (0.05 mi) Terra Coffee House
- (0.13 mi) Naughty Nuri's Macau
- (0.09 mi) Isaac Toast & Coffee
- (0.10 mi) Restaurante Birmanes Nga Heong
- (0.09 mi) Jason Cafe
St. Augustine Square Information
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