Senate House (Leal Senado), Macau

The garden of Leal Senado (11 November, 2007)


Senate House or Leal Senado is the seat of the Macau government when it was a Portuguese colony. The name Leal Senado means "Loyal Senate" in Portuguese, is the name of SenateIt is located on Avenida de Almeida Ribeiro, across the road from Largo do Senado or Senate Square.

The name "Leal Senado" was given by Portugal's Prince-Regent João when Macau refused to fly the Spanish flag following the Spanish occupation of Portugal in 1580.

Interior of the Leal Senado (11 November, 2007)


The Senate House Building was built in 1784. After suffering severe damage from a typhoon in 1874, it was repaired and renovated in 1876. Another storm damaged it in 1936, with restoration completed in 1940.

The building is in the form of the letter-U, with the middle portion along Avenida de Almeida Ribeiro. Entering it, you reach the lobby, that leads to the public exhibition areas. A granite staircase leads ahead into a central courtyard, flanked by the wings of the building. It is a good place to seek some quiteness away from the hustle and bustle of the street outside. There are water sprouts and even the bust of Portuguese poets Luís Vazde Camões (1524-1580) and João de Deus (1830-1895).

Getting to the Leal Senado

The Leal Senado is located just across the street from the Senate Square in Macau.

Bust of Luis Camoes, Leal Senado (11 November, 2007)


Bust of Joao de Deus, Leal Senado (11 November, 2007)


Leal Senado (11 November, 2007)


Staircase leading out from the garden of the Leal Senado (11 November, 2007)

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