The Ruins of St Paul’s is also known as Sam Ba Sing Tzik and stands adjacent to the famous Macau Museum and Mount Fortress. The grand stone stairs and the front façade are only remains of the greatest church in Macau.
St. Paul’s Church was constructed in the year 1580 and caught fire in the year 1595 and 1601. However, the construction again started soon after this church was burnt down in the year 1602. After its completion in 1637, it became the biggest Catholic Church of East Asia at that time. But, unfortunately due to a violent typhoon hitting Macau in 1835 the church caught fire for the third time and left its glory a history. According to the historic materials, this church was build with the white stones and had grand vaulted roofs. It also had three beautifully decorated halls.
Ruins of St. Paul’s
Sam Ba Sing Tzik was built using granites and has baroque façade which are rich in ornamentation having classic oriental characteristics. This structure has five tiers from bottom up. The first tire is made up of tem Ionic columns having three entrances. The entrance in the middle has MATER DEI carved into it. The two entrances on each of its side are decorated using bas-reliefs in the pattern of ‘HIS’. The second tire is featuring ten Corinthian columns having three windows. A Catholic Saint is enshrined in four tabernacles between the columns. The tow tier is said to represent the activities of missionaries and the Society of Jesus.
The other three tiers are most decorated. The Statue of Madonna is standing in the middle of the third tire and the statue of Jesus stands on the fourth. The walls are fully covered with bas-reliefs having various patterns like angles, devils, a Portuguese sailing ship, symbols of crucifixion, etc. The Triangular combination of upper three tires reflects Holy Trinity and the Blessed Virgin Mary. There is a cross standing at the coping of the Wall.
Ruins of St. Paul’s
The Ruins of St. Paul’s have been stored during the year 1990 and 1995. One Museum that is Museum of Sacred Art and Crypt was also build during that time. It exhibits some religion artworks like sculptures, paintings and statues.