Full bibliography

In this article I propose to show how the notoriety of Luís de Camões' work *Os Lusíadas* lies at the origin of the emergence in Macau of the first site of homage to the Portuguese poet, through the accounts of foreign travelers who journeyed to China in the eighteenth century with commercial or diplomatic objectives. When book publication was still limited and technical constraints allowed for the insertion of only a few illustrations, nevertheless, the description and iconography of the Camões Grotto are a constant presence in these publications and become the first symbol of Macau beyond borders.