IC Completes Inspection of Listed Buildings and Sites

Cultural Affairs Bureau personnel assess typhoon-inflicted damage (Photo courtesy of Cultural Affairs Bureau)

In the wake of the considerable damage wrought by Typhoon Hato, Macao SAR Government Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) conducted inspections of more than 30 classified buildings and sites, dispatching staff to record the condition of places like Ilha Verde Hill, Penha Hill, Guia Hill, Lilau Square, Rua da Felicidade and the St. Lazaus Quarter, among others.

In general, damage was relatively light and mostly confined to the collapse of trees and broken branches, although the trees affected were considerable. In areas near the Retreat House on Ilha Verde Hill, large trees posed a potential risk of collapse. Likewise, large trees on Guia Hill had been uprooted, damaging surrounding fences and walls.

Based upon the reports, IC immediately reported the foregoing to responsible departments in order to eliminate or minimize the hazards; consequently, IC appeals to residents and tourists to avoid visiting such affected areas for their own safety. Additionally, most sites did not show temporary structural damage, with surrounding street lamps and signboards taking the brunt, with damage to walls and a small number of fallen tiles.

Recently, IC conducted a meeting with administrators of temples and churches to discuss the follow-up works after the typhoon in order to deepen support for heritage buildings requiring restoration and post-typhoon works.



Several facilities temporarily closed

Due to the ravages of Typhoon Hato, as of 27th September various cultural facilities - namely, Guia Fortress, Guia Chapel, Red Market Library, Mobile Library, Kun Iam Ecumenical Centre, Heritage Exhibition of a Traditional Pawnshop Business, and Navy Yard No.1 - have been temporarily closed to the public until further notice.

For the latest information, please visit Macao SAR Cultural Affairs Bureau website: www.icm.gov.mo/en.