Saint Anthony Church

St. Anthony's Church, a Catholic church located on Rua de Santo Antonio in Macao, is a UNESCO World Heritage attraction and also one of the three ancient churches in Macao. It is a little bit isolated and not as popular as other famous sights, but the church has its own special charm and beauty.

As one of the oldest buildings in Macao, it was originally built around 1560. But over the centuries, the church has also been reconstructed for numerous times.

Featuring a simple neo-classical style facade and single tower, the architecture style of the church is said to be true to form for Portuguese colonial buildings.

Compared to the Ruins of St. Paul , this church is a less frequently visited area in the Historic Center of Macao , where you can escape the crowds of Senado Square. There is a neat fountain just outside the church, with some other World Heritage attractions such as Casa Garden and the Protestant Cemetery across the street.

Stories about the Church

St. Anthony’s Church, dated back to 1560is one of the oldest churches in Macao along with St. Lawrence’s Church and the Cathedral. The Church named after St. Anthony of Padua, was favored by the Portuguese for weddings and thus acquired its Chinese name “Fa-Vong Tong” (which translates to Church of Flowers).

In Macao, St. Anthony is referred to as the patron saint of seafarers.

However, in Portugal, he is known as a marriage saint, and there is folklore of him reconciling couples.

And his feast day on June 13 is celebrated with parades and is considered auspicious for marriages. At a ceremony every year on June 13, St. Anthony’s feast day, the President of the Senate presents him 240 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.

So through the tale of St. Anthony, we can see this man means a lot to Macao -- he was a legend for Macao people. If you want to know more about St. Anthony and his stories, it is worth for a visit to this quiet, low-profile but unique church.

Art of Buildings

When you are in Macao, the styles of the buildings are always discussed. They are definitely a sort of architecture arts. It is the same with St. Anthony’s Church.

In this church, with granite steps leading up to a simple green gate, which is flanked by granite pillars topped with decorative glass-sided lamps, you may find you are entering a picture or a beautiful dream. It has a courtyard which is laid with functional granite slabs. Within the pediment, a recessed oval niche contains a statue of the saint in chocolate colored robes carrying the infant Jesus.

The doors on the ground floor and the windows on the upper floor are painted deep green. Unlike the other churches in Macao, it has an asymmetrical structure and a bell tower well ornamented.

The church interiors are simple and elegant. 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. That’s really an amazing experience walking in the holy place.

Other Enjoyments

St. Anthony’s Church is just a short walk from the Ruins of St Paul's and Camoes Garden and Grotto. So you can enjoy a collective travel in this area. 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.

The church is also right next to the Luis de Camoes garden, which is an exquisite place and well worth exploring. Please don’t miss out on these wondrous gardens and many splendid photo opportunities. And the Rua de Sao Paulo, a good place for souvenir shopping, filled with shops selling antiques, reproduction furniture, exquisite ceramic statuettes and pottery.

Also next to the church (before the garden entrance) are a couple of tiny Dim Sum (desserts) shops that are cheap and wonderful. Visit them in the morning for a late breakfast and just point to the dishes you want.

St. Anthony's is not one of the more popular church visits in Macao. However, there are less crowds, allowing visitors much more relaxed visits. And it is also interesting and enjoyable to the buildings and atmosphere, especially when there are couples getting married.

• Location: in the opposite of Nanwan Street, Fa-Vong Tong District in Macao
• Ticket Price: free
• Opening Hours: 7:30-17:30
• Tel: +853 2857 3732