Monte fort, high on hill in the centre of Macao, was the site of a celebrated occurrence in local history. In 1622 a large force of Dutch invaded the poorly defended Portuguese possession and threatened to overrun it. A lucky shot from a cannon on these walls hit the Dutch gunpowder boat in the bay and caused a huge explosion that decimated the attackers. The Dutch retreated and St. John the Baptist, on whose day the battle took place, was proclaimed the patron saint of the City.