St. Lawrence's Church
St. Lawrence's Church
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.0
187 reviews
Excellent
47
Very good
114
Average
24
Poor
2
Terrible
0
luxuryvoyage
Switzerland4,015 contributions
Nov 2019
Beautiful and newly restored church. The church is located near Largo de Senado and is worth a short stop on the tour to the other historic buildings nearby (Mandarin House, St. Augustine's church, Theatro D. Pedro V). We only visited the church from the outside. Very well signposted tour to the historical sights, which by the way are all free of charge.
Written 5 January 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.
David D
Adelaide, Australia914 contributions
Dec 2019 • Couples
While looking for another old part of Macau we found this fantastic little maze of streets. Comprising local restaurants, Philippine shops and arts this is a great area to explore. There is a wine shop come artist exhibition along these streets. A wonderful finds not far from the St Paul’s tourist precinct.
Written 6 December 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.
Brad
Hong Kong, China1,78,203 contributions
Oct 2012 • Solo
This church was first built in 1560's and is the most impressive in Macau to visit. St. Lawrence has a similar facade to the heavily visited St. Dominic's in Senado Square but a larger and nicer interior. The wooden ceiling which is painted blue is most impressive and compliments the stained class windows and generally decorative nature of the church. The church is also straddled by garden and planted areas and there are some outdoor benches for visitors to rest.
St. Lawrence is located on Avenue Sao Lorenzo and is approximately 4-5 minutes walk southwest past St. Augustine's Square and Church. It is one of three similar churches as well as St. Augustine's and St. Dominic's to be included in the UNESCO World Heritage designation for the City Centre of Macau and our personal favorite of these three to visit.
Further down Avenue Sao. Lorenzo, you can find additional members of the World Heritage collection including the very nice Mandarin House, the historic Moorish Barracks and finally the very important and interesting A-Ma Temple, making this a quality section of the World Heritage group to visit.
St. Lawrence is located on Avenue Sao Lorenzo and is approximately 4-5 minutes walk southwest past St. Augustine's Square and Church. It is one of three similar churches as well as St. Augustine's and St. Dominic's to be included in the UNESCO World Heritage designation for the City Centre of Macau and our personal favorite of these three to visit.
Further down Avenue Sao. Lorenzo, you can find additional members of the World Heritage collection including the very nice Mandarin House, the historic Moorish Barracks and finally the very important and interesting A-Ma Temple, making this a quality section of the World Heritage group to visit.
Written 31 October 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.
Thangam M
Chennai1,460 contributions
Mar 2012 • Family
There is something we find quite inexplicable about Macau – it has some magnificent attractions that don’t get anywhere near the tourist attention they so richly deserve. The magnificent Igreja do Sao Lorenzo (St Lawrence’s Church) on Rua de São Lourenço is a case in point (Guia Hill and Camoes Gardens are others that suffer the same fate).
This church built by the Jesuits in wood dates back to 1560 which makes it close to five centuries old! Thereafter, it was rebuilt in stone and even that reconstruction was over two hundred years ago...which of course makes it one of the oldest churches in Macau…and according to us, one of the most beautiful too.
There is a beautiful story associated with this church. The families of Portuguese seamen used to gather on these church steps to pray for their safe return home – which explains how this church got its Chinese name – Feng Shun Tang, or the 'Church of Smooth-sailing Wind'.
From Rua de São Lourenço, a dual stone staircase leads up to the ornamental iron gates of the church set in a beautiful garden that has a large number of palms. The church itself is an extremely handsome neo-classical structure painted in cream and white. It has a central section flanked by two soaring towers. The tower on the left sports a large clock while the other tower is a belfry. The second level of the façade sports three beautiful stained glass windows. Elegantly worked pilasters and volutes tastefully adorn the church façade.
At the very top of the church is an iron cross, and below it framed within a circular border, are the intertwined letters ‘A’ and ‘M’. Some quick research revealed that these letters, a monogram of the Virgin Mary, stand for 'Auspice Maria' which is Latin for ‘Under the Protection of Mary’.
Within, the church interior is richly adorned – decorated pillars, a magnificent wooden ceiling painted turquoise with white and gold beams, embellished with beautiful chandeliers. Below the cupola, the imposing red-carpeted altar and exquisite stained glass windows complete an absolutely stunning visual effect. We were told the church was part of a wealthy neighbourhood – that would explain its grandeur – which unfortunately far too many travelers to Macau seem to be missing out on.
This church is open 10am to 4pm Mondays through Fridays, 10am to 1pm on Saturdays and is closed on Sundays and other holidays.
Rua de São Lourenço where this church is located is apparently one of the major stops of the Passion of Christ Procession held at Macau every Easter. Given that these streets around the church are still paved in stone, perhaps the scenes witnessed at Easter even today are not too different from what they were centuries earlier!
SUGGESTIONS:
1. This church seems to attract very few visitors, and that is specially so at midday which makes it the best time to visit – so its worthwhile to try and be there then.
2. Please spend some time just sitting on the pews, gazing at the altar, the stained glass windows, the richness of the woodwork, the magnificence of the chandeliers, the ceiling and the walls. Just absorb your surroundings, or better still, let them absorb you. Feel the deep stillness within you – a feeling so hard to find in the hustle and bustle of daily life.
3. Once you have spent time within the church do make sure to relax in its wondrous gardens too. Sit on the stone benches under the shade of the quiet palms, gazing at the beautiful façade of this church – to call the experience rejuvenating would be a gross understatement.
4. Given its beauty and timeless elegance, this church begs to be photographed – please do it full justice, and you will be delighted when you look back at the pictures to relive the time you spent in Macau.
This church built by the Jesuits in wood dates back to 1560 which makes it close to five centuries old! Thereafter, it was rebuilt in stone and even that reconstruction was over two hundred years ago...which of course makes it one of the oldest churches in Macau…and according to us, one of the most beautiful too.
There is a beautiful story associated with this church. The families of Portuguese seamen used to gather on these church steps to pray for their safe return home – which explains how this church got its Chinese name – Feng Shun Tang, or the 'Church of Smooth-sailing Wind'.
From Rua de São Lourenço, a dual stone staircase leads up to the ornamental iron gates of the church set in a beautiful garden that has a large number of palms. The church itself is an extremely handsome neo-classical structure painted in cream and white. It has a central section flanked by two soaring towers. The tower on the left sports a large clock while the other tower is a belfry. The second level of the façade sports three beautiful stained glass windows. Elegantly worked pilasters and volutes tastefully adorn the church façade.
At the very top of the church is an iron cross, and below it framed within a circular border, are the intertwined letters ‘A’ and ‘M’. Some quick research revealed that these letters, a monogram of the Virgin Mary, stand for 'Auspice Maria' which is Latin for ‘Under the Protection of Mary’.
Within, the church interior is richly adorned – decorated pillars, a magnificent wooden ceiling painted turquoise with white and gold beams, embellished with beautiful chandeliers. Below the cupola, the imposing red-carpeted altar and exquisite stained glass windows complete an absolutely stunning visual effect. We were told the church was part of a wealthy neighbourhood – that would explain its grandeur – which unfortunately far too many travelers to Macau seem to be missing out on.
This church is open 10am to 4pm Mondays through Fridays, 10am to 1pm on Saturdays and is closed on Sundays and other holidays.
Rua de São Lourenço where this church is located is apparently one of the major stops of the Passion of Christ Procession held at Macau every Easter. Given that these streets around the church are still paved in stone, perhaps the scenes witnessed at Easter even today are not too different from what they were centuries earlier!
SUGGESTIONS:
1. This church seems to attract very few visitors, and that is specially so at midday which makes it the best time to visit – so its worthwhile to try and be there then.
2. Please spend some time just sitting on the pews, gazing at the altar, the stained glass windows, the richness of the woodwork, the magnificence of the chandeliers, the ceiling and the walls. Just absorb your surroundings, or better still, let them absorb you. Feel the deep stillness within you – a feeling so hard to find in the hustle and bustle of daily life.
3. Once you have spent time within the church do make sure to relax in its wondrous gardens too. Sit on the stone benches under the shade of the quiet palms, gazing at the beautiful façade of this church – to call the experience rejuvenating would be a gross understatement.
4. Given its beauty and timeless elegance, this church begs to be photographed – please do it full justice, and you will be delighted when you look back at the pictures to relive the time you spent in Macau.
Written 10 July 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.
Maria2619
8 contributions
Aug 2019
a very lovely, simple and pleasant church. I had been for an English mass on Sunday. It was really great. Remember, when you are sitting on the bench for the mass, don't keep your feet on the cushion provided in front. Its meant only for kneeling. This is what I was advised, when I sat comfortably by placing my feet. A Very good system. The mass was excellent.
Written 28 September 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.
FranceAK47
Chanthaburi156 contributions
Jan 2018 • Couples
This church has been preserved very well, everything looks old but clean. Lots of tourist visit this place and some makes pray.
Written 29 January 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.
Amorsolo S
Bulacan Province, Philippines2,268 contributions
Jul 2015 • Family
It is one of the most beautiful churches in Asia, once inside, you would feel the solemn and nicest feeling in the world.
Written 1 March 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.
pageadayer
Chesterfield, UK80 contributions
Nov 2014 • Couples
The gardens outside the church were what first caught my attention - I looked around for several minutes before going inside. It is also lovely inside; the photos other visitors have posted will give you a hint of how attractive it is inside.
Written 29 January 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.
Jarko2015
Amsterdam, The Netherlands1,731 contributions
Jan 2018 • Solo
Seemingly bigger and more ornately decorated than the cathedral, the church is a good place to visit, rest and stop. The surrounding gardens are very peaceful and tranquil.
Written 30 January 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.
beth_sale22
Doha, Qatar263 contributions
Nov 2016 • Family
The Church is located near the famous Praca Louis de Camoes, a very important place for the people of Macau. We were not able to enter the church because it was already closed when we arrived. For the Catholics who will visit Macau, it is a must-see attraction. It is one of the 3 oldest churches in Macau.
Written 29 January 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.
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