St. Paul’s ruins was originally the main façade of the former Mater Dei church. The church was first built in 1580 but was twice destroyed by fire in 1595 and 1601. The third construction started in 1602 and the main façade was completed in 1640,it was at that time the biggest Catholic Church in the Far East and was acclaimed as “The Vatican of the Far East”. The church was again destroyed by fire in 1835, leaving only the present façade.
Loading contexts...
