Wine Museum

This 1400 square-metre space is divided into three different areas: Historical Information, Cellar and Exhibition Area. Using maps, texts, photos, tiles and videos to relate history of wine. The aim of each section is not only to provide information regarding wine and grapevines, but also to recreate the atmosphere of the production of wine, showing visitors the traditional tools connected to wine production.

One of the main targets of the Macau wine museum is to bring the visitors into contact with the social, economical and cultural importance of wine in Portuguese culture, traditions, daily life and celebratory rituals.

The exhibitions space, nicely organized, houses more than 1000 different wine brands of Portuguese wine which cover the different regions in Portugal. Of which, around 600 are commercial wines and the remaining are collection wines and the oldest bottle of wine is a Port of 1815. The museum also presents various examples of wine production in the People's Republic of China. The wines are divided by regions, properly identified and accompanied by short explanation.

There is also a set of mannequins displaying the various regional costumes from the different regions of Portugal.


Address: Rua Luis Gonzaga 431, basement (Tourism Activities Centre -CAT)
*same building with Grand Prix Museum
Opening hours: Everyday except Tuesdays, from 10 am to 9 pm.
Tickets: Adults = 10 MOP
11 - 18 years old = 5 MOP
Children under 10 and Seniors of 60 and above = Free Admission
Tel. No.: (853) 8798-4188
Bus Routes: 1A, 3, 10, 10B, 10X, 23, 28A, 28B, 28BX, 28C, 32

Grand Prix Museum

Officially opened in 1993 to commemorate 40th anniversary of the Macau Grand Prix. There is a collection of nearly 30 exhibits, comprising some of the most unique F3 cars and motorbikes of legendary drivers and riders as well as their related memorabilia. Among such on display is the F3 car and racing gear of the late Ayrton Senna.

In celebration of 50th Macau Grand Prix, the Macau Government Tourist Office had carried out extensive renovations and modernization of the Museum.

The Museum also pays tribute to individuals who had contributed immensely in sustaining the continuous success of the Grand Prix, namely Teddy Yip, Paul Du Toit, Arsenio Laurel, Ayrton Senna and John Corsmit, among others. So come discover the Grand Prix Museum's exclusive collection of magnificent machines that had triumphed at the famous Guia Circuit, which is technically acknowledged by many as one of the most challenging street circuit in the world.

Address: Rua Luis Gonzaga Gomes, 431, basement (Tourism Activities Centre - CAT)

Opening Hours: Everyday from 10am to 9pm (Closed on Tuesdays)
Admissions: MOP 10 for adults, MOP 5 for children of 11 to 18 years old, Free admission for children under 10 and seniors of 60 and above.
Enquiries: (853) 8798-4108
Bus Routes: 1A, 3, 10, 10B, 10X, 23, 28A, 28B, 28BX, 28C, 32

Macau Museum

The Macau Museum is a historical and cultural museum with a vast number of objects of great historical value, which demonstrates the way of life and cultures of the various communities which have been inhabited the city for ages.

The first floor is a short and comparative presentation of the way western and Chinese civilization were developed before the arrival of the Portuguese in the Pearl River Delta in the 16th century. Besides, history of Macau, commercial activities , religious and cultures of the two civilizations are also displayed. Mounting the stairs to the second floor, visitors have the opportunity to come into contact with different aspects of the popular art and traditions of Macau; such as people's daily lives, entertainment, religious ceremonies and traditional festivals. The third floor shows contemporary Macau including the characteristic aspects of the city life. The way Macau has been portrayed in literature and the arts is prominently highlighted.

The Macau Museum is located in the Mount Fortress, which was built by the Jesuits in the early 17th century. For a long time, the Fortress was the city's principal military defense structure where public access was restricted. In 1965, this fortress was converted into the Meteorological Services and later opened to the public. Built on top of the Mount Hill, the Mount Fortress offers a panoramic view of the city. On its west is the Ruins of St Paul's. On 15th July 2005, the Historic Centre of Macau was officially listed as UNESCO World Cultural Heritage. The Mount Fortress and the Ruins of St. Paul's are significant historical monuments of the Centre.

The Macau Museum was opened on 18th April 1998, consisting of two underground levels and a third one above the fortress' top platform where the old Meteorological Services is housed. The architectural character and special configuration of the architecture has been retained and preserved.

Address:No. 112 Praceta do Museu de Macau (Mount Fortress)

Opening Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Ticket booth closes 5:30 p.m.), Closed on Mondays, open on public holidays
Admission: MOP 15 for adults, MOP 8 for children under 10, students and seniors of 60 or above, Free admission for children under 5 and school visits (reservation in advance)
Enquiries: (853) 2835-7911
Bus Routes: 3, 3A, 3X, 4, 5, 8, 10, 10A, 11, 17, 18, 18A, 19, 21A, 33
E-mail: info.mm@icm.gov.mo
Website: www.macaumuseum.gov.mo
Additional Information: The Museum includes a shop, two cafes, bar and the Mount Fortress garden.

The Taipa Houses Museum

The Association of the Eight Panoramas of Macau selected the landscape that merges the classified area constituted by the Taipa Houses-Museum, the Caramo Church, the Civil Affairs Registry and the two  little gardens as one of the eight views in Macau. Especially the Taipa Houses Museum, which includes five typical green houses wiith Macanese architectural characteristics of Portuguese Matrix, is considered one of the cultural relics and heritages of the Island.

The Taipa Houses Museum was in built in 1921, which had been the residences for high superiors and Macanese families. In the 80's, the Tourist Department of Macau bought and recovered them. In late 90's, the government decided to fully remodel them, recognizing its important architectural value, transforming them into museums and renaming the houses as "Macanese House", "House of the Islands", "House of the Portugal Regions", "Exhibition Gallery", and "House for Reception". The Taipa Houses Museum opened to public on December 5, 1990 and is administered by the Civil and Municipal Affairs Bureau.

The "Macanese House" is one of the Macau's typical house in colonial style. It reminds visitors a period of Portuguese splendor that was characterized by frequent affluence of the Portuguese, British, Manadarins and merchants in this tiny territory. Wandering along the houses, anyone can admire and recognize the living standard of the Macanese families during that period. The characteristic of the house, furniture, objects and decorations is from early 20th century.

"Reminiscence of Time - Photography Exhibition of Resplendent Taipa" is the ongoing exhibition in House of the Islands, which takes a retrospective look at the centennial history of Taipa. This exhibition focuses on the landscape features o fTaipa prior to the opening of the Governor Nobre de Carvalho Bridge to traffic in 1974, the first bridge linking Macau and Taipa. It is further divided into four areas of interests, changes in terrain features of Taipa, public affairs/administration, trades and professions and education. The first two display zones reveal changes in terrain features, condition of public organs and theirs staffs, construction of government buildings, municipal organs and the different life aspects of public servants. The other two display zones shed ligh on the livelihood of Chinese community, the different trades and professions which are vitally related to everyday life and on a handful of Chinese schools.

The "House of the Portugal Region" is where Portuguese costume from different regions is shown.

The "Exhibition Gallery" serves as a venue to host different kinds of exhibitions periodically with theme of photography, western painting, ceramics and ware, sculpture, etc., and so far has invited different artists from all over the world such as Shanghai, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Korea, Poland and Mexico, and aims to feature more elements for the exhibitions from overseas.

The "House for Reception" is designed only for official reception, as well as cultural events and gastronomy festivals.

Address: Avenida da Praia, Taipa, Macau
Opening Hours: 10:00-18:00 (No admittance after 17:30, Closed on Mondays, Free admission on Sundays)

Tickets: Adult - MOP $5.00, Student or Group - MOP $2.00 per head, Under 12 years old or 65 years old - Free Admission
Enquiries: (853) 2882 7103 / 2882 7527
Bus Routes: 11, 15, 22, 28A, 30, 33, 34
Website: http://housemuseum.iacm.gov.mo/engmain.html

Our Lady of Sorrows

This small church was built in 1966 to serve the needs of the settlement of Ka Ho, where the families of cured lepers and a few new cases live. It has a magnificent bronze crucifix over the north door. It was created and given to Ka Ho by Italian sculptor Francisco Messima. Also associated with the building of this church is the name of another Italian Sculptor, Oseo Acconci.

Budget Accomodations

HOTELS

Central
Address: Av. Almeida Ribeiro nos. 264 e 270, 4-10/F
Contact nos.: 28373888

East Asia
Address: Rua de Madeira nos. 1-A
Contact nos.: 28922433
E-mail: eastasiamacau@yahoo.com.hk

Holiday
Address: Estrada do Respoiso, nos 36 e 38, 1-5/F
Contact nos.: 28350161

Hong Thai
Address: Rua de Cinco de Outubro, nos. 177-179, r/c, 1-4/F
Contact nos.: 28923923

Hou Kong
Address: Travessa das Virtudes nos. 1
Contact nos.: 28937555

Kou Va
Address: Rua de Felicidade nos. 71
Contact nos.: 28930755/28375599
E-mail: kouva28930755@hotmail.com

London
Address: Praca de Ponte e Horta, nos. 4-6
Contact nos.: 28937761/28937765
E-mail: olelondonhotel@gmail.com

Macau Masters
Address: Rua das Lorchas, nos. 162-178, 1-6/F
Contact nos.: 28937572
E-mail: frontdesk@mastershotel-macau.com
Website: www.mastershotel-macau.com

Man Va
Address: Rua da Caldeira, nos. 30-34
Contact nos.: 28388655/28388656

Nam Tin
Address: Travessa da Praia Grande nos. 4
Contact nos.: 28711212

Ole Tai Sam Un Hotel
Address: Rua da Caldeira nos. 43-45
Contact nos.: 28938818
E-mail: oletaisamunhotel@gmail.com

Sun Sun
Address: Praca de Ponte e Horta, nos. 14-16
E-mail: hotel@bshotelsunsun.com.mo
Website: www.bestwestern.com

Our Lady of Carmel (Nossa Senhora do Carmo)

Built in 1885, this church stands on a hill overlooking the sea, Taipa Village and the restored mansions of Old Taipa Praia.

Protestant Chapel

To serve Macau's small Protestant minority, this chapel is appropriately situated in the cemetery where 150 British and American graves recall the days of the foreign trading and naval presence in Macau. The small stone building is sometimes called the "Morrison Chapel" in honour of Robert Morrison, a missionary who translated the Bible into Cantonese, and the stained glass window contains the art picture of an open Bible with Chinese characters for "In the beginning was the Word." On either side of the altar are plaques recalling James B. Endicott, an American trader who is buried in Hong Kong, and Henry Davies Margesson who drowned off Yokohama when returning home to England after 23 years in China.

Chapel of St. Michael

Set in the beautiful, landscaped Catholic Cemetery, this small chapel, built in 1875, is one of the best maintained buildings in Macau. Its exterior is painted green and white. A stained-glass window filters coloured light into the chapel.

Chapel of St. Francis Xavier

Built in 1928, this chapel follows the baroque style of Macau's major churches. It has a cream and white facade with oval windows and a bell tower. It stands behind the monument commemorating the local victory over pirates in 1910.
The chapel contains some of the most sacred relics of Christian Asia. In a silver reliquary is a bone from the arm of St. Francis Xavier, who followed his missionary success in Japan by coming to the China coast, where he died in 1552 on Sanchuan Island, 50  miles from Macau. The relic was destined for Japan but religious persecution there persuaded the church to keep it in Macau's St. Paul's. It was moved first to St. Joesph's and in 1978 to the chapel.
Persecution of Christians in Japan led to 26 foreign and Japanese Catholic priests being crucified in Nagasaki in 1597 and many hundreds of Christian Japanese being killed during the 1637 Shimabara Rebellion. The bones of the Martyrs and some of the rebels were brought to Macau and kept in St. Pauls's. After fire destroyed the church, the bones were gathered and taken to the Cathedral. They were moved to St. Francis Xavier Chapel in 1974. Other bones stored in the chapel are relics of martyrs from 17th century Vietnam.
A few years ago, the relic was taken to St. Joseph's Seminary and the Sacred Art Museum, but many people still come to this Chapel, especially Japanese Christians.

Chapel of Our Lady of Penha

The first chapel was founded in 1622 by the crew and passengers of a ship which had narrowly escaped capture nu the Dutch. The chapel served as a point of pilgrimage for sailors embarking on a hazardous voyage.

Chapel of Our Lady Guia (Guia Hill)

This chapel was first built in the 17th century as part of Guia Fortress. During the Dutch invasion in 1622, legend has it that the image of the Virgin left the chapel and held out her robe to deflect the enemies' bullets. The present chapel dates from 1637 and contains the Image and a fine old painting of St. John the Baptist, Macau's patron saint.

St. Paul's (Sao Paulo)

All that remains of the greatest of Macau's churches is its magnificent stone facade and grand staircase. The church was built in 1602 adjoining the Jesuit College of St. Paul's, the first Western college in the Far East where missionaries such as Matteo Ricci and Adam Schall studied Chinese before serving at the Ming Court in Peking as astronomers and mathematicians. The church, made of taipa and wood, was brilliantly decorated and furnished, according to early travelers. The facade of carved stone was built 1620-27 by Japanese Christian exiles and local craftsmen under the direction of Italian Jesuit Carlo Spinola. After the expulsion of the Jesuits, the college was used as an army barracks and in 1835 a fire started in the kitchens and destroyed the college and the body of the church. The surviving facade rised in 4 colonnaded tiers, and is covered with carvings and statues which eloquently illustrate the early days of the Church in Asia. There are statutes of the Virgin Mary and saints, symbols of the Garden of Eden and the Crucifixion, angels and the devil, a Chinese dragon and a Japanese chrysanthemum, a Portuguese sailing ship and pious warnings inscribed in Chinese.

After restoration work, lasting from 1990 to 1995, the back side of the Ruin's of St. Paul's was turned into a museum. The ruins are regarded as the symbol of Macau and now offer visitors a new site where they can view the remains of the former Church of Mother of God, visit a Crypt where the relics of the Martyrs of Japan and Vietnam rest, and a museum of Sacred Art where there are exhibits of paintings, sculptures and liturgical objects from churches and monasteries in the City.