Mussolini’s Links to Kowloon

Posted: February 23rd, 2026 | No Comments »

Fancy a walk this weekend? In Hong Kong? Maybe try my Kowloon Art Deco and Hidden Heritage VoiceMap GPS walking tour?

One stop is St Teresa’s Church, close to Prince Edward Road West and to the Maryknoll Convent School. It’s an attractive Neo-Romanesque design with Neo-Byzantine influences designed by Adalbert Gresnigt, a Dutch Benedictine monk and artist.

Interestingly both Benito Mussolini and his son-in-law Count Ciano donated money to the church, built in 1932. Mussolini’s name is listed on a founding benefactors stone plaque inside (though later obscured). At the time Ciano was the Italian Consul in Shanghai and probably made the donation on the Italian fascist dictator’s behalf.

You can learn more about VoiceMap and download the tour here – https://voicemap.me/tour/hong-kong/kowloon-tong-art-deco-and-hidden-heritage-in-hong-kong

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