研究所、轉學考(插大)、學士後-英文題庫下載題庫

As the first European settlement in the Far East, Macau, which became a colony of the Portuguese Empire in 1557, is hugely significant in the history of East-West relations, not to mention its considerable architectural and aesthetic merits, which helped lead its designation as a world heritage site in 2005 by UNESCO. No trip to Macau is complete without a visit to its famous Historic Centre. The beating heart of the city’s urban center is Senado Square. Home to shops, snacks and a never-ending stream of public events and celebrations, few places epitomize Macau’s old-meets-new beauty in the same way. It’s only enhanced by the borrowed Mediterranean atmosphere which comes courtesy of the many surrounding neoclassical-style buildings painted in pastel colors and the square’s ornate tile work. Particularly iconic in the Historic Centre is the A-Ma Temple. Constructed in the 15th century, the temple was originally built for the sea goddess A-Ma. Over the centuries, it has evolved to become home to a number of different beliefs: Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism, in addition to a number of local folk beliefs. Even today, A-Ma Temple remains a site of pilgrimage for many, particularly during the Chinese Spring Festival. But perhaps the best-known monument in Macau is the Ruins of St Paul’s. Once a large church, the southern stone façade is the only part of the building that remains standing after a big fire several centuries ago. Covered in Eastern-influenced carvings of Christian themes, it stands as a testament to the artistic skills of the monks working for St. Paul’s in the early decades of the 17th century and it is frequently used as a spectacular centerpiece during Macau’s annual Arts Festival. For centuries the meeting point between East and West, Macau is an enchanting paradox, a city where ultra-modern buildings co-exist with sites of the ancient past, seemingly drawn from two separate worlds.