In 1569, the first Bishop of Macao, Dom Belchior Carneiro, founded the Holy House of Mercy. Since its earliest days, the Holy House of Mercy has devoted its work to the local community, providing charitable assistance in the spirit of Christian fraternity.
Today located on Leal Senado Square, the Holy House of Mercy is a brick and granite structure.
The Holy House of Mercy used to have a lepers’ hospital in St. Lazarus District, which is said to have been the first Western-model hospital in Asia.
The Holy House of Mercy used to have a chapel with a bell tower standing close by according to documents in historical archives and old drawings.
The neo-classical building has a refined noble appearance. The ground floor has an arched passage that opens onto Leal Senado Square.
With the exception of the granite base line of the ground floor arches, the whole building is painted white giving it a touch of elegance and tranquillity.
On the first floor above the public passage, there is a 2 metrewide balcony.
The façade’s horizontal extension is balanced by ten sets of pilasters. The façade is 22 metres wide and 16 metres high.
The front of the building is divided into three vertical sections with the parapet wall in the centre measuring 12.5 metres high.
The architectural elements between the central section of the main façade and the remaining part differ in details.
On the ground floor section there are double sets of pilasters between the arches, round ones in the middle and square ones on the sides.
The upper level follows the same rhythm, with
its central section topped by a triangular pediment.
The building underwent renovations in the 18th century and the façade was altered in the 19th century to accommodate a more neo-classical image.
Holy House of Mercy and Senado Square at night.
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