Once the summer residences of affluent Macanese, this group of colonial mansions house museums dedicated to the art, people and history of Macau.
Visit the Taipa Houses-Museum to delve into the history of the Macanese and their lifestyles. The Tapia Houses-Museum features a row of five elegant Portuguese-style houses built in the 1920s as vacation homes for senior civil servants. They present a splendid showcase of Portuguese architecture and a snapshot of Macau as a European colony. Step inside the houses to discover art and museum exhibitions.
Start at the Macanese Living Museum, which portrays the daily scenes of the Macanese via period furniture and decorations. See the typical setting of bedroom, dining room, kitchen and living room. The name Macanese originated following the arrival of the Portuguese and their integration with Chinese, Filipino, Indian and Malay families. They established their own dialect and combined attributes of Chinese and European lifestyles.
In the Exhibitions Gallery, artwork and photography presents a visual image of the Macanese way of life. It offers a platform for local and international artists in addition to working in conjunction with institutes such as the British Council. Browse more exhibitions and purchase books with Portuguese and Macanese themes at the Creative Casa.
Further expositions take place at the Nostalgic House and focus on promoting the architectural, culinary and religious heritage of Macau. You’ll also find exhibits that discuss the evolution of the Cotai Strip casino and resort district.
The museum venues line up along a leafy promenade on the shores of Taipa’s wetland area. Public buses travel regularly from central Macau and stop a short walk from the museum. From Cotai it’s a 20-minute walk follow the moving walkway bridge from The Venetian resort. The peaceful Carmel Garden, colorful Dra. Laurinda M. Esparteiro Garden and Our Lady of Carmel Church are among other interesting attractions situated in the area.
Taipa Houses-Museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday. Admission is free to all of the venues.
