Did you know Ilha Verde was once a real island? A small granite isle nestled in the northwest of the Macau Peninsula. It’s now connected to the mainland by Avenida do Conselheiro Borja a causeway built in 1895. But the name Ilha Verde Green Island remains.
Ilha Verde holds a fascinating history. The Jesuits first settled here in the early 17th century. They built chapels convents and houses of leisure and retreat. Ilha Verde became a place of rest for missionaries and students. Imagine the tranquility these early settlers must have felt. Surrounded by nature. Away from the hustle of Macau’s trading post.
After the Jesuits’ expulsion in 1762 Ilha Verde passed into private hands. It was bought in 1828 by Nicolau Rodrigues Pereira de Borja the future Bishop of Macau. He built a house a chapel and a wall. The Macau government then built barracks on Colina da Ilha Verde the island’s hill. This was in 1865. The hill’s strategic location near the Chinese border made it a military area for decades.
Ilha Verde used to be a popular crab-catching spot. However this ended when a cement factory opened in 1887. The Green Island Cement Company Limited operated there until 1925. Its abandoned buildings were later repurposed as a retreat house.
Today Ilha Verde’s most prominent feature is the University of Saint Joseph. Its main campus opened there in September 2017. The university’s modern buildings contrast with the island’s older history.
The hill Colina da Ilha Verde remains a protected area. It is 54.5 meters tall the sixth tallest in Macau. Its lush vegetation is a testament to nature’s resilience. There are also remains of an old monastery or convent. Its origins are unclear. Some believe it dates back to 1828. Others think it’s a remnant of the Jesuit presence. The mystery only adds to Ilha Verde’s charm.
Ilha Verde is a fascinating blend of past and present. From its Jesuit beginnings to its modern university. It is a small place rich in stories. Its history reflects Macau’s rich and complex past. The island’s transformation from a small granite isle to a bustling part of the Macau Peninsula is quite remarkable.