The Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) says that it will repair the archway of a traditional Chinese style patio, which has officially been classified as being historically and cultural important, in the Praia do Manduco neighbourhood as it has been damaged by water seepage and other factors.
The Praia do Manduco neighbourhood is known as Ha Van (下環) in Cantonese.
IC President Deland Leong Wai Man made the remarks during a press briefing on Tuesday after a closed-door regular meeting of the government-appointed Cultural Heritage Council at the Macau Cultural Centre (CCM) in Nape.
The archway to be repaired is located on Pátio da Ilusão (幻覺圍), which Leong said is one of the various traditional Chinese style patios in the Praia do Manduco neighbourhood.
Pátio da Ilusão is a small patio located in the area between Rua da Praia do Manduco (下環街) and São Lourenço Church.
Leong said that the wall of the Pátio da Ilusão’s archway “recently” began to be damaged by water seepage and other factors.
Consequently, Leong said, the bureau consulted the council about its proposal to repair the archway in the meeting, during which all councillors acknowledged the archway’s historical and cultural value and agreed to the repair, she said.
According to Leong, the archway is public property.
According to the Cultural Heritage Protection Law, the bureau can also launch repairs or restoration of properties that are not officially listed as a cultural heritage site but are regarded as being of cultural value, after consulting the Cultural Heritage Council.
Leong said that the upcoming repairs to the archway are expected to cost around 100,000 patacas, but she did not mention when the repairs will start.
This photo taken on Tuesday shows the archway of Pátio da Ilusão in the Praia do Manduco neighbourhood.
Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) President Deland Leong Wai Man (right) and Wu Chou Kit, a member of the Cultural Heritage Council, address Tuesday’s press briefing at the Macau Cultural Centre (CCM) in Nape. Wu, a civil engineer by profession, is also a member of the Legislative Assembly (AL). – Photos: Tony Wong
