St. Dominic's Church

Standing on the site of a chapel and convent built by the Dominicans in the 1590's St. Dominic's dates from the early 17th century. It has an imposing facade of cream-coloured stone with white stucco mouldings and green-shuttered windows. Inside, white pillars support a flat ceiling and apron balconies trim the walls. The great baroque altar contains a cream and white statue of the Virgin and Child and a painting of Christ. The church has a fine collection of exquisitively-carved ivory and wood saints.St. Dominic's has a violently dramatic past. In 1644 a military officer who supported the Spanish against the Portuguese was murdered at the altar during Mass. In 1707 the Dominicans sided with the Pope against Macau's bishop in the Rites Controversy. When local soldiers tried to enforce an excommunication order on them, the friars locked themselves in the church for three days and pelted the soldiers with stones. In 1834 the monastic orders were suppressed and for a time the church was used by the government as a barracks, stable and public works office. To enter the church visitors should ring the bell on the green gate at the side door.