Senado Square

Overview

Senado Square (Largo do Senado) is the beating heart of Macau's historic centre — a handsome public plaza paved in characteristic Portuguese calçada wave-pattern cobblestones and lined with pastel-coloured neoclassical buildings. It serves as both a UNESCO World Heritage buffer zone and Macau's main gathering space.

Highlights

• Portuguese Wave Pavement: The distinctive black-and-white mosaic stone floor mirrors Lisbon's Praça do Rossio.
• Leal Senado Building: The former senate house (1784) features an elegant courtyard and one of Macau's oldest public libraries.
• Festive Decorations: The square is elaborately decorated for Chinese New Year, Mid-Autumn Festival, and Christmas.

History

The square has been Macau's civic centre since the Portuguese administration established the Loyal Senate (Leal Senado) here in the 16th century. Its present neoclassical appearance dates largely from late-19th-century renovations, while the calçada pavement was laid in the 1990s.

Visitor Tips

• Tip 1: Walk through in the early morning for photos without crowds, then return in the evening when the colonial buildings are lit up.
• Tip 2: Surrounding streets Rua de São Domingos and Rua da Palha have excellent Macanese pastry shops.
• Duration: 20–30 minutes.