Portuguese Macau - The Tour

The whitewashed, neoclassical building on the east hand side of the square is The Holy House of Mercy, a charitable, church organisation since its inception in the 16th century. Despite its divine mission, the building itself hasn’t always been a home of praying and piety and the house has served as a refuge for prostitutes and was actually where Macau’s first lottery ticket was sold – for charity of course. Today it’s home to a small museum commemorating the Society’s charitable works in Macau, including the skull of its founder, Dorn Belchior Carneiro.