Introduction

Mount Fortress is located on top of Mount Hill that stands at 52 metres above sea level. The fortress was built between the years 1617 and 1626 through collaboration between the Jesuits. The fortress spans through an area of at least 8,000 square meters and takes up the shape of a trapezoid and its four corners protrude to form bulwarks. The walls of the fortress rise 9 metres high and start narrowing upwards to 2.7 metres wide up the top. They are made of solid rammed earth and strengthened by ground oyster shells. On the northeastern, southwestern and southern eat side, the walls stand on a 3.7 meter wide granite base. Two corners on the southern east side wall have watchtowers and all the parapets were crenulated to allow installation of 32 cannons. The walls located on the side facing mainland China do not have any battlements showing that the fortress was constructed only for the purpose of defense against attacks from the sea side.

The fort was initially set up to be able to protect Macau for a two year siege but then the cannons were actually used in a battle two times. Apparently, a monk accidentally fired at a Dutch ammunition ship completely destroying almost all the dutch fleet to the point that they retreated. It is believed that this act was not intended but it saved the country a great deal to the point that the area came to be what was back in the days. The location became a military base until the year 1965 when a weather station was built at the area. However, the weather station was relocated by the government in power between 1996 and 1998 making the area the current Macau Museum.

Things to see and do on Macau Mount Fortress

Mount Fortress attracts many tourists and was ranked 12 on TripAdvisor amongst the Things to do in the year 2016. Aside from the unique history and architecture at the fortress, the site is home to the best museum in Macau; the Macau Museum made up of two underground levels and a third one above the fortress. Visitors can see this unique piece of architecture with a fascinating design adopted in most fortresses found in south China used to defend the coastline.