Taking up an area of 20,000 square meters and featuring a public library, grotto, statues and sculptures, Camoes Garden is Macau’s oldest and most beloved public park. It began its life in the 16th century as the private villa of wealthy Portuguese merchant Manuel Pereira, before being leased to the British East India Company for its offices. It was used by the Company as a nursery for exotic plant species, many of which still grow here. Taken over by the Macanese government, It became a public park in 1885, for all citizens to enjoy. The private villa on the grounds was turned into a museum in 1920, but now serves as the offices for the Fundação Oriente, which promotes the historical and cultural ties between Portugal and its former Asian colonies.