[2025 Macau Attraction] Travel Guide for St. Joseph's Seminary and Church (Updated Jan)

#yearofrabbit #newyearadventure #tripblazers #campingglamping #foodie #celebratewithtrip. Leading to an impressive flight of granite steps from the gate, and the façade of a beautiful baroque church, St. Joseph’s Church is one of Macau’s more attractive churches to visit. The church is located behind St. Augustine Square and down a side street from St. Lawrence Church. The construction started in 1746 and the whole structure was ready in 1758. The construction process itself is quite remarkable, as the technicians had to break the then-existing rock to flatten the ground and start building the complex. However, its history dates back to the arrival of the Society of Jesus’ priests, who had settled in St. Joseph’s Residence in 1728, later called Seminar. The institution was officially considered a Diocesan Seminar in 1858. The church suffered several renovations through time, including in the 20th century.

Macau is known as the city of churches, so when you travel to Macau, you can walk to the church to feel its sacredness and romance. When the Portuguese arrived in Macao hundreds of years ago, they brought a Western Catholic faith culture. Therefore, Catholic churches in Macau can be seen everywhere. Each church is designed with a unique style and elegant decoration. The unique atmosphere makes it hard for people to resist going into the church to walk. The exotic St. Joseph's monastery is more solemn and sacred against the blue sky. There is a long stone staircase in front of the church.

Day 1: A Soul's Haven In the early morning, I strolled along the cobblestone streets of Macau's old town, with the sunlight filtering through the trees, bringing a touch of warmth. I arrived at St. Joseph's Seminary, a serene space hidden amidst the city's hustle and bustle, instantly bringing a sense of peace. The seminary's architecture is distinctly Baroque, with exquisite reliefs and towering arches that tell the story of its history and faith. I quietly entered the church, where the faint sunlight streamed through the stained glass, casting a moving picture on the marble floor. There were no large crowds of tourists here, only pure tranquility and solemnity. In the afternoon, I continued to wander the streets near the seminary, savoring the charm of the old town and immersing myself in the stories of this land. Day 2: The Confluence of Faith and Culture On the second day, I returned to St. Joseph's Seminary to join a small guided tour hosted by the monks. They narrated the founding story of the seminary and how it became an important base for Catholic education in Macau. Afterwards, I visited the seminary's library, where precious ancient books and manuscripts were displayed on the walls, evoking admiration for the preservation and transmission of culture here. In the afternoon, I sat in the seminary's courtyard, gazing at the blue sky and the seminary's tower, feeling an immense sense of peace. That evening, I walked back to my hotel, my mind filled with images of St. Joseph's Seminary and the invaluable tranquility of the soul it offered.

Since the St. Joseph's Seminary is not open to the public, I visited the adjacent church. The building at the top of the stairs is characterized by its cream-yellow walls, and the interior is similarly colored. It is said to be the only remaining Baroque-style church in Macau.✨ This place is very memorable as it enshrines the relic of St. Francis Xavier's upper arm bone, which has a deep connection with Japan. The banyan tree in the garden is said to be the oldest in Macau. Name: St. Joseph's Seminary and Church Location: R. do Seminario, Macau

I crossed the border from Zhuhai into Macau to spend the day walking around Macau. Such an interesting place with both Cantonese and Portuguese influence everywhere. Must sees: 1. A-Ma Temple - the oldest building in Macau, and how Macau got its name! 2. Moorish Barracks 3. Lilau Square - so charming, it does feel like being in Portugal! 4. St. Lawrence’s Church 5. St. Joseph’s Seminary and Church 6. St. Augustine’s Square 7. St. Augustine’s Church 8. Dom Pedro V Theatre - the first Western style theatre in China. Go inside to see the theatre! 9. Sir Robert Ho Tung Library 10. Senado Square - the iconic square; every building around it is more than 100 years old 11. “Leal Senado” Building 12. The General Post Office Building 13. Holy House of Mercy 14. St. Dominic’s Church 15. Ruins of St. Paul’s - most famous spot, very busy in the middle of the day. 16. Na Tcha Temple 17. Section of the Old City Walls 18. Mount Fortress Crossing the border took about 40 mins on the way out, and only 15 to come back, super easy for a day trip! #traveldiaries #100waysoftravel #urbanexplorer #chinatrip #macau

The Jesuits founded the Igreja e Seminário de São José, also known as the Saint Joseph's College and Seminary, in 1728. It consists mainly of a college building and a church. This is a monastery with inner and outer gardens, surrounded by walls to isolate it from the outside world. St. Joseph's Seminary and Church has had a profound impact on Macau's culture, charity, and basic education. It is a component of the Historic Centre of Macao, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Apart from the Cathedral, the St. Joseph's Seminary and Church Museum, jointly established by the Cultural Affairs Bureau of Macao SAR, St. Joseph's Seminary and the Catholic Diocese of Macau, is also worth a visit. It was officially opened to the public on October 8, 2016, and houses over 110 religious relics, including classics, oil paintings, statues, and ceremonial items. The museum is divided into two floors, with a total of eight exhibition rooms. The first floor mainly displays photos, videos, statues, and other items introducing the history of the monastery, while the second floor exhibits various religious scriptures, clothing, and sacrificial objects from different districts. 📍San Ba Tsai Street, Fong Son Tong District, Macau 🕙The main building of St. Joseph's Abbey is not open to the public. The church is open from 10:00 to 17:00, and the treasure museum is open from 10:00 to 17:00 (closed on Wednesdays). 💰Free 📷2022.12.24 St. Joseph's Monastery Treasure Museum

The Jesuits founded the Igreja e Seminário de São José, also known as the Saint Joseph's College and Seminary, in 1728. It consists mainly of a college building and a church. This is a monastery with inner and outer gardens, surrounded by walls to isolate it from the outside world. St. Joseph's Seminary and Church has had a profound impact on Macau's culture, charity, and basic education. It is a component of the Historic Centre of Macao, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Apart from the Cathedral, the St. Joseph's Seminary and Church Museum, jointly established by the Cultural Affairs Bureau of Macao SAR, St. Joseph's Seminary and the Catholic Diocese of Macau, is also worth a visit. It was officially opened to the public on October 8, 2016, and houses over 110 religious relics, including classics, oil paintings, statues, and ceremonial items. The museum is divided into two floors, with a total of eight exhibition rooms. The first floor mainly displays photos, videos, statues, and other items introducing the history of the monastery, while the second floor exhibits various religious scriptures, clothing, and sacrificial objects from different districts. 📍San Ba Tsai Street, Fong Son Tong District, Macau 🕙The main building of St. Joseph's Abbey is not open to the public. The church is open from 10:00 to 17:00, and the treasure museum is open from 10:00 to 17:00 (closed on Wednesdays). 💰Free 📷2022.12.24 St. Joseph's Monastery Treasure Museum