Macao boasts a history of more than 400 years of trade and cultural exchange between many western nations and Chinese civilization.
It was the Portuguese who first arrived in the southwest part of the Macao peninsula during the mid 16th century.
With the Portuguese settling down and beginning to trade, Macao consequently developed into one of China's leading ports which also opened to other western nations.
Eventually Macao became a significant port in the whole of Asia.
With its popularity as an international port, Macao started attracting more people from different parts of the world, with these diverse cultures, beliefs and social customs also entering the peninsula.
As a result many houses, places of worship, cemeteries and streets were formed.
This area of Macao that features different constructions built according to varied architectural styles is today referred to as the Historic Centre of Macao.
Throughout this period of 400 years, the peninsula of Macao became the core of where the Western cultures blended with the East.
Therefore, some of China's most impressive western style buildings can be witnessed even today at the Historic Centre.
There are also various religious buildings built according to diverse architectural styles.
The architects of some of these typical western style buildings have even incorporated Chinese and Indian architectural styles making these structures exceptionally unique.
For example the paintings that can be found in the Guia Chapel were done according to Chinese style.
People living around this area even today hold different celebrations throughout the year in order to carry on with their various traditions that are a fusion of both Chinese and Western cultures.
The Historic Centre of Macao mainly contains unreligious Portuguese architectures, a few churches, Chinese houses as well as religious structures.
There are also a few squares and streets linking these buildings.
Some of the most outstanding works include the Holy House of Mercy, the Moorish Barracks, Sir Robert Ho Tung Library, the Guia Lighthouse, St.
Laurence's Church, the Mount Fortress, N Tcha Temple, the Dom Pdro V Theatre and so much more.
The Historic Centre of Macao is living proof of the Western and Chinese cultural exchange that took place for more than 400 years.
Therefore, its importance and uniqueness made it to the World's list of Cultural and Natural Heritage.
It was the Portuguese who first arrived in the southwest part of the Macao peninsula during the mid 16th century.
With the Portuguese settling down and beginning to trade, Macao consequently developed into one of China's leading ports which also opened to other western nations.
Eventually Macao became a significant port in the whole of Asia.
With its popularity as an international port, Macao started attracting more people from different parts of the world, with these diverse cultures, beliefs and social customs also entering the peninsula.
As a result many houses, places of worship, cemeteries and streets were formed.
This area of Macao that features different constructions built according to varied architectural styles is today referred to as the Historic Centre of Macao.
Throughout this period of 400 years, the peninsula of Macao became the core of where the Western cultures blended with the East.
Therefore, some of China's most impressive western style buildings can be witnessed even today at the Historic Centre.
There are also various religious buildings built according to diverse architectural styles.
The architects of some of these typical western style buildings have even incorporated Chinese and Indian architectural styles making these structures exceptionally unique.
For example the paintings that can be found in the Guia Chapel were done according to Chinese style.
People living around this area even today hold different celebrations throughout the year in order to carry on with their various traditions that are a fusion of both Chinese and Western cultures.
The Historic Centre of Macao mainly contains unreligious Portuguese architectures, a few churches, Chinese houses as well as religious structures.
There are also a few squares and streets linking these buildings.
Some of the most outstanding works include the Holy House of Mercy, the Moorish Barracks, Sir Robert Ho Tung Library, the Guia Lighthouse, St.
Laurence's Church, the Mount Fortress, N Tcha Temple, the Dom Pdro V Theatre and so much more.
The Historic Centre of Macao is living proof of the Western and Chinese cultural exchange that took place for more than 400 years.
Therefore, its importance and uniqueness made it to the World's list of Cultural and Natural Heritage.
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