Hidden in plain sight on Rua de Silva Mendes stands the Sun Yat Sen Memorial House. This unassuming building whispers tales of revolution, family, and a man who shaped modern China. The Sun Yat Sen Memorial House isn’t just a museum; it’s a time capsule. It offers a glimpse into the life of Sun Yat-sen, the “Father of Modern China,” and his connection to Macau. The house itself was built in 1912 for Sun Yat-sen’s first wife, Lu Muzhen, in a mock-Moorish style, complete with ornate verandas and spacious courtyards. It became a sanctuary for his family, including his two daughters, Sun Yan and Sun Wan, and his son, Sun Ke. Lu Muzhen lived here for an impressive 40 years, making Macau her home.
Sun Yat-sen’s ties to Macau run deep. His father, Sun Dacheng, worked in Macau for 16 years before returning to his hometown. Sun Yat-sen himself began his medical practice in Macau at Kiang Wu Hospital, becoming the first Chinese doctor to practice Western medicine in the city. He even opened two clinics, one blending Western and Chinese medicine. But his ambitions extended far beyond medicine. Macau became a hub for his revolutionary activities. Here, he collaborated with Francisco Hermenegildo Fernandes, a Portuguese printer who published articles promoting Sun’s reformist ideas. These words spread like wildfire, reaching readers across southern China and beyond.
The Sun Yat Sen Memorial House holds precious artifacts from this period, including Sun Yat-sen’s medical equipment and personal items, gifts to Fernandes for helping him escape Macau after a failed uprising in Guangzhou. Sun Yat-sen spent the next 17 years in exile, but Macau remained close to his heart. He returned twice after the 1911 revolution, once staying at the Lou Lim Ioc Garden, now a beautiful park. Though his later visits were brief, Macau continued to shelter his family. Tragically, the original family home was destroyed in 1930 by an explosion at a nearby munitions warehouse. The government, filled with remorse, provided funds to rebuild, and with additional support from Sun Yat-sen’s son and brother, the current Sun Yat Sen Memorial House was constructed.
Today, within its walls, you can discover photographs and documents chronicling Sun Yat-sen’s extraordinary life, his travels across the globe in search of support for his cause, and the early days of the Republic of China. A bronze statue of Sun Yat-sen, cast by a Japanese friend, graces the courtyard, a silent sentinel guarding the legacy within. The Sun Yat Sen Memorial House stands as a testament to his enduring impact on China and the important role Macau played in his life’s journey. It’s a place where history comes alive. It connects us to the man who dared to dream of a new China and the city that offered him a haven.