Leal Senado Building

The Leal Senado Building which is now the Legislative Assembly and Municipal Court of Macau is located at the end of Senado Square in San Laurenco. The name Leal Senado translates to 'Loyal Senate'. At the entrance of the building, one can see the plaque ordained by the then king of Portugal, John VI. It also exhibits a Chinese style pavilion.

This building is a reminder of the Portuguese rule over Macau, which was on the locals for their loyalty. A bust of the Portuguese poet, Luis Vaz de Camoes can also be seen at the Portuguese style courtyard in the back. The exhibition hall hosts various kinds of art exhibitions from time to time, while the public room is used for meetings.

The public library houses about 18,500 books, specializing in foreign languages. Some other institutions including a post office, a court and a prison are affiliated to the building. An ideal time to visit would be around Christmas, as the whole building is beautifully decorated and lighted up.