The Holy House of Mercy is a charitable institution founded in Macao in the sixteenth century. Its historic headquarters stands amid the old city’s Chinese and Portuguese landmarks, linking a surviving civic building with a long record of social welfare.
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The Holy House of Mercy was founded in 1569, when Macao’s early Portuguese community was still taking shape. Its model came from one of Portugal’s longstanding charitable institutions, and its work formed part of the city’s social welfare history.
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- The Holy House of Mercy was established in 1569.
- It was established by Macao’s first bishop.
- The institution was modelled on a prominent Portuguese charitable organization.
More places in Macao
A-Ma Cultural Village
A-Ma Cultural Village is a hilltop complex on Coloane devoted to the sea goddess A-Ma, also known as Tin Hau. Its temple buildings, ceremonial structures, and nearby statue connect religious devotion with Macao’s maritime heritage.
A-Ma Temple
A-Ma Temple is a multi-pavilion religious complex on Macao’s Barra hillside, dedicated to Mazu and other deities. Its buildings, built over several centuries, reflect the coexistence of Chinese religious traditions in a living place of worship.
Barra Square
Barra Square opens toward Macao’s Inner Harbour in front of A-Ma Temple. Its Portuguese-style mosaic paving and waterfront position make it both a threshold to the temple and a reminder of the port setting that shaped the city.
Border Gate (Portas do Cerco)
Border Gate, or Portas do Cerco, marks Macao’s northern land boundary with mainland China. The modern checkpoint and surrounding infrastructure frame a crossing that has long shaped movement, trade, and the relationship between Macao and its neighboring city.
Camoes Garden
Camões Garden is a wooded hillside park with layered paths and the grotto associated by local tradition with poet Luís de Camões. Its mature trees and old estate setting preserve a distinctive green pocket within Macao’s dense peninsula.
Camoes Square
Camões Square is a leafy public garden near Casa Garden, St. Anthony’s Church, and the Protestant Cemetery. Its shaded paths and benches offer a quieter view of Macao’s historic center, where cultural, religious, and residential sites meet.