Restoration of frescoes in the Chapel of Our lady of Guia, Macau

The official unveiling of the restoration of the sacristy in the Chapel of Our Lady of Guia took place on the 24th of July in a ceremony presided over by Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture and by Bishop Domingos Lam of the Macau Diocese. A string quartet of musicians from the Macau Chamber Orchestra, and a harpsichord performed on the occasion.

The Chapel of Our Lady of Guia stands within the walls of Guia Fortress, a fortification on top of the highest point on the Macau peninsula, Guia Hill. Although the exact date of construction of the chapel is not known, several records indicate it must date from around 1620.

The architectural style of the chapel is typical 17th century Portuguese, but the frescoes inside the church draw on Chinese painting skills to represent biblical figures and religious scenes.

During the conservation and restoration of the chapel in 1996, the first remains of some frescoes were uncovered. This marked the beginning of a long process of studying the images and deciding the appropriate measures for their conservation.

Restoration began in 1998 and involved a team of experts and academics working on the project for around two years. Extensive historical research was conducted and laboratory analyses of the strata of mortar and paints led to subsequent investigations to assess the compatibility of materials and pigments to be used in the restoration. At all times, the approach adopted was to safeguard the artistic integrity and authenticity of the frescoes.