Our Lady of Penha
Capela de Nossa Senhora da Penha，a Portuguese name of a small church in Macao, is also being called as Our Lady of Penha. Located upon the Penha Hill, it is a church built in the fort, which is used for praying for the navigators.
The design of the chapel is quite simple but elegant, especially under the sunshine, the beautiful church will give you a warm and sweet feeling. The major part of this architecture is the towering gatehouse, with a bell tower and a bishop’s house built in 1935 sitting aside. And there is a marble statue of Our Lady of Lourdes standing in front of the church, facing towards the sea.
Therefore, with such a beautiful and tranquil scene, many locals choose to take wedding photos here. And standing high, you can enjoy a bird-eye view of almost half of Macao here. Going down from the stairs, you will find the grotto of our Lady, and inside the grotto there is an altar for the believers to worship.
This is also an ideal place for visitors who enjoy the spring outing as well as the unique scenery in Macao. Starting from the Penha Hill, you can walk through a green path and you will find the Bishop’s Palace, the Seminary St. Joseph and many representative buildings of European style. It is really worth a visit.
Elegant Style of Our Lady
There is a beautiful and quiet courtyard in front of the chapel, where the marble statue of Our Lady of Lourdes stands. It is really a good place for you to have a view of Macao and the inner harbor. The stairs lead down to a picturesque grotto.
While walking up to the church, it might be a little bit strenuous for some people -- but do not worry, when you reach the chapel, you will find that is really worth the view. It is a popular place for couples for wedding photos. The church, which is modest and rather simple, is slightly different to the other you visit in Macao, so you will have a fresh feeling to this scenic spot.
Our Lady of Penha has a long history dating back to 1622, but it was not granted within the UNESCO World Heritage designation for the Historic Center of Macao. However, you won’t regret for the trip because the chapel is potentially elegant, classical and peaceful. Tourists always take advantage of the impressive view there.
The chapel was once a place of pilgrimage for sailors about to embark on hazardous seas, and is dedicated to Our Lady of Penha of France, protector of navigators. If you take a commercial tour of Macao, it will most likely stop here, and it's certainly worth a good look.
Hiking and Other Activities
Visiting the church is definitely a joyous trip, as it is located upon a hill. If you chose a fine and sunshine spring day, the hike to the Penha Hill would be quite enjoyable and relaxing. You can both visit a holy place of a typical European style chapel, and enjoy a wonderful hiking trip of your own.
In the courtyard in front of the church, there are some benches setting under the trees in the shadows. So, another fascinating activity to do is to have a picnic together with your families and friends, rest for a while after a hot summer day -- just like in the park. Isn’t it really appealing just hearing it?
The church is really an ideal place for you to escape the more crowded areas of Macao like those more commonly visited around Senado Square and the Ruins of St. Paul. Here you find peace, lovely panorama views of the south, facing Macau Tower towards Cotai Island.
There is a public bathroom and fast wifi as well if you want to post a photo and load to your social media before making your way back down the hillside.
Other Highlights
If you have time and the energy, you can walk up from the Church of San Domingo, to see another deity, Our Lady of Fatima.
Also, after walking through several lanes, you can see the A-Ma Temple is right in front of you, which is a great supplement to your trip of Our Lady of Penha. What’s more, if you plan to be in the area near Lilau Square to see Mandarin's House or St. Lawrence's Church, the chapel is a good place for you to rest and transit. A collective, wrap-up tour!
- Location: on the Penha Hill of Macao
- How to Get There? Take buses No.3 and No.8 and get off at the A-ma Temple Station. Or, take buses No.6B, 9, 16 and 28B that go by the church.
- Ticket Price: Free
- Opening Hours: 9:00 am - 17:30 pm (but the chapel closes at 4:30 pm)
More Tips:
- It may be a hard walk for some visitors while climbing the hill, so remember to wear comfortable shoes and bring some water.
- After entering the chapel, please keep quiet and no phones indoors.