A number of Macao sites with military connections was once out of bounds to outsiders. Today, members of the public can take part in a tour of relevant public places with military connections, and formerly private ones.
Pictured is a public site with military links: Victory Monument, located in Victory Garden. The monument was built at the end of 19th century to mark the defeat of an attempted invasion of the city by the Dutch in the early 17th century.

Guia Hill marks the highest elevation on Macao peninsula and was consequently a bastion crucial for military defence. Atop the hill is a network of formerly military facilities, including a fort with a lighthouse, quarters for an artillery battery, and barracks. There are also military tunnels running underneath the hill in a variety of directions.

Guia Hill has three tunnels once used as shortcuts between the various military facilities. There are also former air-raid shelters. The tunnels were used to station troops, and were designed to resist attacks from either the seaward direction or via land, and to store provisions, among other purposes.

Of the existing tunnel system, Tunnel A and Tunnel B are now open to the public. In particular, the Tunnel A complex includes a single 52-metre long path that runs level, underneath Guia Lighthouse. On a cement wall immediately outside the tunnel is the inscription ‘1931’, pertaining to the year of its construction.

Tunnel A has a single way in and way out at both ends. It was formerly equipped with an electric generator. Its facilities included a resting area for soldiers and a storage tank for fuel.

Pictured here – close to the city’s landmark Ruins of St Paul’s – is a section of the Old City Walls. It is a part of the Historic Centre of Macao, which was inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2005.

What is now the Museum of the Macao Security Forces was once part of the St. Francisco Barracks. It became in 2004 a place to showcase the history of Macao’s security forces.

On display at the Museum of the Macao Security Forces is a number of either military- or police-related items of significant historical value. They include a mounted gun, artillery pieces, uniforms and some unique historical photographs. The display of the items enables visitors to learn more about the history of Macao’s security forces.

On display at the Museum of the Macao Security Forces is a number of either military- or police-related items of significant historical value. They include a mounted gun, artillery pieces, uniforms and some unique historical photographs. The display of the items enables visitors to learn more about the history of Macao’s security forces.

Part of the grounds of the former St. Francisco Barracks is now a public garden. Set among the greenery is a pink-coloured historic building. Its colour matches that of an adjacent former military building now used as the headquarters for the Public Security Forces Affairs Bureau. These together are part of Macao’s unique urban landscape.