Built by the Jesuits, from 1617 to 1626, this was the city’s principal military defence structure and was crucial in successfully holding off the attempted Dutch invasion of Macao in 1622. It was built on top of Mount Hill, strategically located in the centre of the Macao Peninsula, watching over the city in all directions. The fortress is in the shape of an irregular trapezoid that covers an area of approximately 8000 square metres. In the past, it was equipped with cannons, military barracks, wells and an arsenal that held sufficient ammunition and supplies to endure a siege lasting up to two years. The walls are 3.7 metres wide at the base, 9 metres high narrowing upwards to 2.7 metres wide at the top. The parapets were crenulated for the installation of 32 cannons and the two corners of the southeast wall have watchtowers. There are no weapons facing mainland China, indicating that the fortress was only built for defense against attacks from the sea. In 1965 a weather observatory was installed at the site and the fortress was demilitarized in 1976. In 1998 the Macao Museum was installed at the site.
Cultural Facilities:
Macao Museum, Mount Fortress Corridor