Ruins of St. Paul's in China's Macao (4)

The Ruins of St. Paul's refers to remains of the greatest church in Macao, one of most famous landmarks of the city - St. Paul's Church.

Initially established in 1580, St. Paul's Church was set on fire in 1595 and 1601. The reconstruction of the church started in 1602 and it was rebuilt into the biggest Catholic Church in East Asia at that time when completed in 1637.

Unfortunately, the church caught fire for a third time and what survived were the front fa ade, the grand stone stairs as well as the glorious history. According to records, the church was white stones and magnificently decorated.

In 2005, the ruins were officially inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List as it forms part of the 'Historic Centre of Macao.' [China.org.cn]