Camoes Square, Casa Garden & the Protestant Cemetery, Macau
Be fascinated at one of Macau’s oldest parks – Camoes Garden and Grotto, or otherwise known as just Camoes Garden! Extending over nearly 20,000 square meters (about 24,000 square yards), Camoes Garden is also the largest park in Macau.
So what is the Camoes Garden exactly? Before it was donated to the government, it was originally the house of a Portuguese merchant who enjoyed raising pigeons. His house served as a majestic backdrop to hundreds of pigeons who flapped their wings across his house day in and day out. Looking from a distance, the pavilions and buildings in the compound looked like nests. After the merchant’s death, his house was donated to the government and named after the great Portuguese poet, Luis de Camoes, hence the name Camoes Garden.
As you explore Camoes Garden, you will encounter Camoes Grotto, the most famous sight in the garden which houses the bust of the great poet Luis de Camoes. Luis de Camoes was exiled from his country for provoking court officials and lived in Macau for two years. During his period of exile, he visited the park frequently to frame up his poems and in this very park, the legendary epic poem Os Lusíadas (Soul of Portugal) was born. Luis de Camoes was so respected by the people of Macau that the government declared the day he died, June 10th, as “Portugal Day”. Every year on “Portugal Day”, the Portuguese in Macau will gather in the park to celebrate the holiday and honor Camoes’ legacy.
Walking through Camoes Garden, the gentle mountain peaks, the shady tree leaves, the bright green grass and delicate pink flowers will all capture your imagination unlike anything you have ever seen. Standing in the park is the symbol of friendship between China and Portugal, the bronze statue “Embrace”. As you continue to walk along the winding paths, you will reach the Gazebo, the highest point in the park, where you can feast your eyes on the striking views of the inner harbour. Look north and you will see a marble fountain built in the 1990, completely man-made.
Camoes Garden is a popular spot even among the locals where they do their morning exercises, play chess, meet with friends or walk their caged birds (a traditional Chinese custom). To put it simply, Camoes Garden is an oasis in the bustling city of Macau.
How to get to Camoes Garden
- Take bus 17 to Camoes Garden Central Station
- Take bus 8A, 18A, 18B, 18, 19 or 26 to Camoes Square
Entrance fee: Free
Opening hours: 06.00 – 22.00
