№.82 The Grotto of Camoens, Macao 澳門賈梅士石洞

This famous historical site in Macau is located in the White Pigeon Nest Garden on the western part of the Macau Peninsula. In the mid-16th century, the renowned Portuguese poet Luis de Camões (1524~1580) resided in Macau for two years and completed the final portion of his epic poem “The Lusiads” in this cave. Nearly 290 years after Camões’ departure from Macau, Manuel Pereira, a wealthy Portuguese merchant in Macau, sought to commemorate Camões. He spent 600 francs to commission a half-body bronze statue of Camões, which was placed in the cave in 1849 (the 29th year of the Qing Dynasty’s Daoguang era).

A Western-style archway with iron railings was erected at the cave entrance, and a pair of Chinese couplets were placed beside the door. The couplet reads, “才德超人，因妒被难；奇诗大兴，立碑传世” (Superior in talent and virtue, he faced envy and hardship; his extraordinary poetry flourished, and this monument shall pass through the ages). At the top of the cave, there was once a hexagonal pavilion with stone steps for a panoramic view. In 1866 (the 5th year of the Qing Tongzhi era), the cave suffered damage, and the pavilion at the top disappeared. The cave was later restored to its original natural shape, and a recast bronze statue of Camões was placed inside the cave. It has been preserved to this day.