The Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM) said in a statement yesterday that it will start to completely replant the flowerbed along the stone steps in front of the UNESCO World Heritage-protected Ruins of St Paul’s on Sunday, in line with its original design.
The statement noted that the flowers and shrubs there were planted around two decades ago, because of which they have aged and worn out to “various degrees”.
The statement underlined that the bureau previously carried out small-scale planting work there with the aim of improving the situation and restoring the area to its original pattern as much as possible, but the results “were not satisfactory”.
Consequently, according to the statement, the bureau has decided to fully replant the flowerbed in compliance with its original pattern. The replanting will start on Sunday and is scheduled to last around one week, the statement said.
The statement said that notices will be put up in the area reminding pedestrians about the ongoing work, urging them not to approach the affected area.
The statement underlined that the replanting aims to “improve the quality of urban greening and beautifying the community environment”.
The Ruins of St Paul’s monument is officially listed as a cultural heritage site. The façade dating back to 1640 is one of Macau’s most popular tourist attractions.
A fire in 1835 destroyed most of St Paul’s College and the Church of the Mother of God, leaving only the church’s façade, foundations and stone steps intact.
This undated handout photo released by the Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM) yesterday shows the flowerbed in front of the Ruins of St Paul’s.
