MACAU - 2
1973-17-054 Fortaleza do Monte, - the Monte Fort (Photography © Karsten Petersen)
The Monte Fort is the oldest fort in Macau, - built in 1616 -, and is placed on the hilltop just above the ruins of Basilica de Sao Paulo, - St. Pauls Cathedral -, for protection of this splendid church, which was considered the greatest monument to Christianity in the Far East.
1973-17-055 1973-17-054 Fortaleza do Monte, - the Monte Fort (Photography © Karsten Petersen)
1973-17-057 1973-17-054 Fortaleza do Monte, - the Monte Fort Now museum, - but where the commander of the colony once resided. (Photography © Karsten Petersen)
1973-17-058 1973-17-054 Fortaleza do Monte, - the Monte Fort (Photography © Karsten Petersen)
The walls from where a shot hit the gunpowder magazines of a ship in an invading Dutch fleet that attacked Macau in 1622.
This caused a gigantic explosion when the ship blew up, - and after that, the remaining of the Dutch fleet found it adviseable to leave at once without any further attempt to kick the Portuguese out of Macau - - -
1973-17-062 Just below the Monte Fort, - the ruins of Basilica de Sao Paulo, - the St. Paul's Cathedral. (Photography © Karsten Petersen)
And here is the ruins of the magnificent St. Paul's Cathedral, - another one of Macau's World Heritage Historic Sites -, and surely it's most famous landmark.
The cathedral was built in 1582 - 1602, but when a fire broke out during a typhoon in 1835, it was turned into a ruin, and only the facade is left of what was once the biggest church in Asia.
1973-17-063 1973-17-062 - a closer look at the ruins of Basilica de Sao Paulo, - the St. Paul's Cathedral. (Photography © Karsten Petersen)
1973-17-064 - and still closer - (Photography © Karsten Petersen)
1973-17-066 - another view over Macau from the old Monte Fort - (Photography © Karsten Petersen)
1973-17-068 - another view over Macau from the old Monte Fort - (Photography © Karsten Petersen)
1973-17-071 - and the last view from the top, - showing some magnificent European/Chinese architecture - (Photography © Karsten Petersen)
1973-17-074 - view from below towards the Monte Fort - (Photography © Karsten Petersen)
1973-17-075 - the lonely facade of the St. Paul's Cathedral - (Photography © Karsten Petersen)
1973-17-076 - and a closer view - (Photography © Karsten Petersen)
1973-17-077 - details - (Photography © Karsten Petersen)
Strange to imagine, that this masterpiece was made by Japanese Christions in exile and local artisans under the direction and supervision of an Italian Jesuit priest - - -
1973-17-078 - details - (Photography © Karsten Petersen)
1973-17-079 - details - (Photography © Karsten Petersen)
1973-17-081 - a look down the great stairway leading up to the cathedral - (Photography © Karsten Petersen)
1973-17-082 - a look down Rua de Sao Paulo - (Photography © Karsten Petersen)
1973-17-096 - Macau architecture - (Photography © Karsten Petersen)
1973-17-097 - a touch of old Portugal, - but on the China coast - (Photography © Karsten Petersen)
1973-17-098 - the old Macau Government Headquarters - (Photography © Karsten Petersen)
1973-17-099 - a look down Rua Central - (Photography © Karsten Petersen)
1973-17-100 Largo do Senado, - Senado Square (Photography © Karsten Petersen)
Take note of the Monte Fort on the hill in the background.
SEE MORE OF MY OLD MACAU PICTURES ON: MACAU-3