Senado Square Reviews (Macau, China)

Senado Square

Townsville, Queensland, Australia

March 29, 2009

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Best of IgoUgo Senado Square has been Macau’s urban centre for centuries and it is still the most popular venue for public events and celebrations today. We visited during Chinese New Year and the whole square was brilliantly decorated and crowded with people both ...Read more Senado Square has been Macau’s urban centre for centuries and it is still the most popular venue for public events and celebrations today. We visited during Chinese New Year and the whole square was brilliantly decorated and crowded with people both during the day and at night. Senado Square has always been the city centre. In the past, this was where the governors inspected military troops and the police force when they took up their posts.

Known as Avenida de Almeida Ribeiro square in the official annals of Macau, Senado square was constructed by the colonial rulers of Macau showcasing their glory and design ability. It contains an elegant fountain, space for public events, trees, benches and cafes. Most of the buildings around the square are neoclassical in style and some are classified monuments or classified buildings of architectural interest. The square is paved with a wave-patterned mosaic of coloured stones, created by Portuguese experts.

Possibly the most impressive building fronting Senado Square is the Holy House of Mercy, used by a charitable institution, founded in 1569. This two-storied building in neo-classical style has an elaborate front elevation. The architectural elements between the central section of the main façade and the remaining part differ in details. On the ground floor section there are double sets of pilasters between the arches, round ones in the middle and square ones on the sides. The upper level follows the same rhythm, with its central section topped by a triangular pediment. The building underwent renovations in the 18th century and the façade was altered in the 19th century to accommodate a more neo-classical image.

The square contains some shops and restaurants well worth a visit. We had lunch here one day and really enjoyed watching the crowd of locals and tourists wandering around, taking photographs and enjoying the activity. If you head away from the Senate building you come to St. Dominic's Square with St Dominic's Church (founded in 1587) and the old Chinese bazaar area. This is another area for great photographs. It is worth seeking out the Sam Kai Vui Kun Temple (restored in 1792), which is testimony to Macao's enduring respect to Chinese and Portuguese communities as equals.

Close by, there is the Cathedral Square with the Cathedral Church (rebuilt in 1850), and the headquarters of Macao's Diocese.
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From journal World Heritage Macau

Leal Senado

by LenR

Townsville, Queensland, Australia

March 29, 2009

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Best of IgoUgo If you are facing this building you are in the centre of ‘Old Macau’. This is probably the most photographed building in the city and it is often cited as an outstanding example of Portuguese architecture. Unfortunately, the rapidly growing traffic ...Read more If you are facing this building you are in the centre of ‘Old Macau’. This is probably the most photographed building in the city and it is often cited as an outstanding example of Portuguese architecture. Unfortunately, the rapidly growing traffic along the street is diminishing the appeal of the building considerably.

The building was constructed in 1784 as Macau’s first municipal chamber. Two hundred and twenty five years later it still serves the same function. The name "Leal Senado" or Loyal Senate, derives from the title "City of Our Name of God Macau, There is None More Loyal" which was bestowed by Portuguese King Dom John IV in 1654.

The Leal building is neo-classical in design and has retained all its original master walls and layout. The highlights inside are the elaborately carved library, a small chapel and a wonderful courtyard. There is also a museum and art gallery. It really is worth some of your time. The library is styled after the library of Mafra Convent in Portugal and is outstanding. It is only open on weekdays, however.

On the main facade there are rows of windows in simple renaissance style with granite casings. In the middle section, there are three French windows on the first floor, opening on to balconies with iron railings. The composition of the facade is completely symmetrical and the windows are the main architectural element.

The floor plan of the building is a U-shape, with the arms turned away from the main road, Almeida Ribeiro Avenue. On the ground floor there is a spacious lobby used for public exhibitions and as a reception area. When we were there at Chinese New Year, it was elaborately decorated and crowded with visitors. A granite staircase leads up to the courtyard garden and to the public library and conference rooms on the first floor. The granite staircase walls are covered with blue and white Portuguese ceramic tiles, a most distinctive feature rarely found in other buildings in Macao.

The building is painted white which enhances the dark green colour applied on the window frames and on the main entrance door.
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From journal World Heritage Macau

Landmarks around the Largo do Senado

by billmoy

Chicago, Illinois

December 15, 2004

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Best of IgoUgo The most famous historical monument in Macau is the legendary St. Paul facade. If you are in this area, there are some other interesting landmarks just a bit south of this spot. The most prominent plaza in Macau is probably the Largo do Senado ...Read more The most famous historical monument in Macau is the legendary St. Paul facade. If you are in this area, there are some other interesting landmarks just a bit south of this spot.

The most prominent plaza in Macau is probably the Largo do Senado (Senate Square), a space shaped like an elongated triangle. It is a bustling area frequented by locals scurrying to nearby stores and restaurants, balanced with a less frenetic population intent on relaxing here. The square, with a wavy Portuguese-style stone pattern and a central fountain, is surrounded by several important and picturesque buildings, many with arcaded walkways which draw a variety of vendors and add life and character to the area. If your time is limited in Macau, this is a good spot for a quick taste of its history. Get some free brochures from the Macau Government Tourist Office conveniently located in the Ritz Building.

Across the street from the shortest side of the plaza is the dryly titled Institute for Civic and Municipal Affairs (IACM in Portuguese) building. This simple, vaguely neoclassical whitewashed block was formerly called the Leal Senado ("Loyal Senate"), and old photographs will show its central elevation capped with these bold letters instead of its current name in Portuguese and Chinese. The interesting old name refers to the former senators who refused to recognize the sovereignty of Spain during its sixty-year rule over Portugal. This current structure was built in 1784 and is also the home of the mayor’s office. The attractive wood-paneled Senate Library, the art gallery, and the open central courtyard are worth a look.

Across from the tourist office are the General Post Office of 1931, currently surrounded by a cage of prickly bamboo scaffolding, and the attractive Santa Casa da Misericordia (Holy House of Mercy). This former home of the downtrodden is now a small museum with two exhibit rooms. A landmark of a different nature is Long Kei, a large Cantonese restaurant with an extensive menu and a small neon cow on its main elevation.

The Macau Cathedral is a bit east of the Largo do Senado. Built in 1850, its most colorful features are its stained glass windows. If one walks north to follow the narrowing square, you will first pass a series of glossy storefronts selling Western merchandise. Once you are at the uppermost point of the plaza, you will encounter a couple of palm trees and the Church of St. Dominic (Sao Domingoes in Portuguese). Dating from the early 17th Century, the deep yellow elevations of the structure feature green shutters, creating a tropical "colonial Baroque" appearance. After serving time as military barracks, a stable, and a public works office, the church was renovated in 1997 and currently contains the Treasury of Sacred Art museum.

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From journal Bill in China - MACAU

Leal Senado Square

by travel2000

New York, New York

November 8, 2000

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Best of IgoUgo The swirl of the black-and-white floor mosaic is the signature of this pedestrian-only square. The centerpiece is a nice fountain and this part of the city is also a main shopping district. This used to be a mess. In fact, I didn't even know this ...Read more

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