Ruins of St. Paul's (Bookmark) Macao World Heritage

The Ruins of St. Paul's are the remains of the façade of the Church of God Mother (St. Paul's Church), which was affiliated with St. Paul's College. Founded in 1594 and closed in 1762, the college was the first Western-style university in the Far East. In 1835, a great fire destroyed St. Paul's College and its affiliated church, leaving only the front façade of the church, most of the foundation, and the stone steps in front of the church. Since then, it has become the world-renowned Ruins of St. Paul's. Locals refer to it as the "Ruins of St. Paul's" because the façade resembles a traditional Chinese *pailou* (archway). This stone façade, a unique blend of East and West, is unparalleled among Catholic churches worldwide.