The charming little enclave of Macau has seen its landscape carved by Portuguese colonial influences, and one of the most prominent symbols of this legacy is the Monte Fort, which dates back to the sixteenth century. The iconic sights of the city are quite accessible from the many luxury hotels Macau has to offer its visitors. An exclusive Macau hotel with easy access to transport links to whisk tourists on whirlwind adventures is the Galaxy Macau Resort Hotel. You’ll find the country’s oldest military structure at the Monte Fort, built in 1617 in order for the Jesuit priesthood to shield themselves from religious persecution. Boasting a solid construction of walls towering over 30 feet in height and spanning 330 feet in length, it was outfitted with enough armaments to withstand a siege of about two years. However, the fort never saw the kind of action it anticipated, except for one attempt by a Dutch fleet to invade the island. Thanks to the accidental firing of a canon by a monk into the Dutch gunpowder ship, which effectively decimated half the fleet, the Dutch fleet retreated and the day was saved. Today, the fort presents an intriguing glimpse into the country’s colourful past, and forms part of the country’s UNESCO heritage site. It also hosts the Museum of Macau, which will take you through a fascinating chronicle of the island’s past. Afterward, take a walk through the fort and into the subterranean tunnels for a true immersion back in time. Witness the original cannon that fired the infamous shot that saved the island from invasion, as they now point towards the gleaming city line of Macau.
Angela Fernando is an impassioned travel writer who composes pieces under the pen name Sumaira Narayan. She loves writing about new and exciting places around the world and intends to visit them all someday.
