The Camoes Garden and Grotto is the oldest and largest among Macau’s public gardens. Spanning an area of 20,000 square meters, the park is a haven of lush tranquility. Meandering pathways take the visitor through the sights of hills, majestic trees, and grass brightened by an abundance of colorful flowers.
The garden was originally a section of the residence of the Chairman of the British East India Company. In 1886, following the death of the succeeding owner, a Portuguese merchant, it was gifted to the state in memory of the renowned Portuguese poet Luis de Camoes. The poet lived for two years in Macau and is said to have spent much time in the park composing poetry. The grotto was built in 1835 by the Portuguese trader encircling a bust of Luis de Camoes. The government later constructed the bronze bust seen today. The grotto also contains inscriptions of the poet’s most widely read poems. On June 10th annually, the Portuguese in Macau gather at the grotto to commemorate the poet.
The grotto looks on to a sprawling garden equipped with seats under the cooling shade of Bunyan trees. A bronze statue titled “Embrace” graces the entry to the garden, symbolizing the long standing Chinese-Portuguese friendship. The lanes leading from the rear of the grotto ascend to a Chinese pavilion situated on a forested hill. Furnished with stone tables and stools it has become a popular spot with enthusiastic, native chess players. The visitor is treated to an excellent view of the harbor from the highest point of the garden, the Gazebo. Natural bounty and excellent yet unobtrusive artistry couple to create an atmosphere of serene beauty which has led to the wide popularity of The Camoes Garden among local and foreign visitors
Accommodation for visitors can be easily found in a Macau hotel. If you wish to stay at a luxury hotel in Macau, The Venetian Macau Resort Hotel provides a comfort and ease to your stay complete with a complementary shuttle bus to facilitate arrival at the hotel.
Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry.