Gaslan Garden (also known as South Bay Garden)🎉
(Portuguese: Jardim de S. Francisco), located at the junction of Rua do Guia and Avenida da Barca, is the first park in Macau and its historical value has been assessed by the Macau government.
Because it is adjacent to the former Gaslan Barracks, it is often called Gaslan Gardens.
The word "Caslan" in the "Caslan Garden" comes from the Portuguese word S. Francisco (also translated as Saint Francis). In 1580, the Spanish Franciscans established a monastery here, and its name was Saint Francis. In 1861 the monastery was demolished and the Garthlan Barracks was built, and the adjacent grounds were converted into a garden open to the public. Built in the 1860s, it covers an area of 6,100 square meters and was once rectangular in shape. It can be regarded as the first garden in Macau. The garden is designed in European style. In the past, one could overlook the South Bay from here, so it was called South Bay Garden. It was also called Gaslan Garden because it was close to the Gaslan Barracks. In 1920, a large-scale land reclamation project began in the area in front of the garden, which is now blocked by high-rise buildings and the Grand Lisboa Hotel. The garden was designed and supervised by Dr. Mario Soares (Matias Soares). The garden is divided into high and low parts. The high part is divided into two floors. From the current Avenida da Praia do Praia to Rua do Guia, it is divided into three floors in total. The gardens used to be surrounded by walls and railings and closed at night. In the past, the Garthlan Gardens was a gathering place for the upper class to stroll, chat and enjoy the sea view. At dusk, enjoy the melodious music from the park's music stage. In 1935, the government opened up Galatang Street, and the area of the garden was reduced. The music stand in the garden was also dismantled in 1940 due to the cancellation of music performances. Since then, it has been abandoned and demolished, leaving only the green garden. At the end of the garden is the octagonal pavilion library.
At the highest point in the park, there is a pale pink cylindrical building, formerly the European War Memorial. It is two stories high, with arched doors and windows all around, walls engraved with patterns, and a crown-shaped decoration on the top to commemorate the Portuguese soldiers who died in the First World War. It has now become the venue of the Macau Association for the Disabled.