Holy House of Mercy

The Santa Casa da Misericórdia was founded in 1569 by Macao's first bishop as a charitable body on the Portuguese model, running an orphanage, a hospital and a refuge, and it has operated continuously since, which makes it the oldest western-style charitable institution in this part of the world. The white neoclassical building on Senado Square dates from the nineteenth century, and a small museum upstairs holds the institution's records, vestments and the founder's skull.

What you actually see

• The 1569 foundation - the oldest western charitable institution in the region.
• The white facade - the nineteenth-century neoclassical front on Senado Square.
• The museum - the institution's records, vestments and relics upstairs.
• The continuous operation - a body still running charitable work after four and a half centuries.

When to go

October to December is dry and cool. The museum keeps limited hours and closes Mondays. Half an hour covers it.

Honest expectations

The museum is very small and closes Mondays and public holidays. Most of the building is in working use and not open. Labelling is limited.

Nearby

The Leal Senado is opposite, and the Cathedral is east.