Mong Ha Fort, Macau, China

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Mong Ha Fort (Fortaleza do Mong Ha) is the last fort to be built in Macau. It is located on Mong-Há Hill, on the northern part of the territory, facing China. The Anglo-Sino conflict of 1841 gave the Portuguese the jitters. This was the time when tension between Chinese nationlist and the European powers was at its peak. The Portuguese, under Governor Ferreira do Amaral, hurriedly started construction of Mong Ha Fort in 1849, in an effort to thwart any attacks on their colony. Governor Ferreira do Amaral was assassinated shortly thereafter, and Governor Coelho do Amaral took over the construction in 1864. The fort was finally completed in 1866, but there was never an attack on the fort.

Mong Ha Fort was in active service until the 1960s. As the relationship between Beijing and Lisbon improved, there was no need of the fort. When Macau was transferred to Chinese sovereignty, ownership of the fort also changed hands.

Today Mong Ha Fort has been converted into a public park. There are walkways to the old fortress walls. The fort itself has been converted for use as a heritage hotel and tourism training school. There is also a Portuguese restaurant managed by trainees.