Situated on the South coast of China, the territory of Macao currently
houses a numerous population which since the beginning the 80’s
has not ceased to increase as a result of the intense immigration
arriving from the Peoples Republic of China. This influx of new
residents brings people to the cities in search of better working
opportunities and a brighter future for them and their families,
many of whom wait patiently in their remote villages in China.
The current population of Macao is estimated at around 450,000
inhabitants, predominantly Chinese (93%) followed by the Portuguese
community (5%) and other residents of different origins like Filipino’s
and Thai’s.
This universal aspect of the city of Macao has been ingrained during
the course of four and a half centuries of peaceful cohabitation
from a population with a vocation for commercial trade in this strategic
port at the mouth of the Pearl River which gives access to the prosperous
city of Canton, generating indelible characteristics which until
today still exist in the socio-cultural network of this society,
the visible testimony is through the city’s urban mesh and architecture
of it’s many buildings.
However, the accelerated economic, cultural and technological transformations
which have been noted in all of Asia, in particular China are all
reflected in Macao through the image of the city which has been
witness to a historical backdrop begin to rapidly change and risk
in the short term of loosing all its resulting characteristics of
its cross cultural Asian and Western cultures.
For this reason it became necessary to urgently take steps of protecting,
conserving and valuing of the existing patrimony preventing the
deterioration of the image and unique identity of the city, subject
to the pressures of property development and speculation, moreover
the social requirements resulting from the populations constant
expansion and demand on housing.
This recent growing is reflected in the current characteristics
of the territories population where it is estimated that around
50% have arrived and been living in Macao over the last fifteen
years, therefore being a population of recent immigrants of which
the majority are Chinese who came to Macao with the intention of
enjoying better living conditions but who’s cultural regards
have little or nothing to do with where they live, naturally located
in their birth places some of which are far from Macao and considerably
different cultures.
Macao is a small territory without any natural resources, with
a labouring population suffering from the competition of neighbouring
markets where the labour is much cheaper and therefore much more
competitive, so that which remains is tourism based on cultural
and historical identity unmatchable in the rest of Asia, made up
of its great patrimony which should be preserved and revitalised
and which in the future will make this city different from that
which remains in the vast Orient.
It is in the best interests that the future of Macao and its populations
can defend their social and cultural values, maintain and enrich
their valuable heritage of four and a half centuries of harmonious
socialising between two such different cultures. That the foundations
for the creations in Macao of Natural Museuological Institutions
that reflect not just the history of the territory but equally the
socio-cultural characteristics of its population, attempting to
create a lively establishment, operational and essentially orientated
by the following programmatic objectives.
To promote a greater understanding and interest in Macao’s unique
cultural and historical heritage through a programme of exhibitions,
lectures, publications, research and extension services.
To create and develop collections related to Macao’s archaeology,
local history, natural history, ethnography and ethnology.
To serve, through research and study as a centre of learning for
citizens by providing them with a vivid environment of discovery,
learning and problem solving in matters related to Macao’s cultural
and historical heritage.
To co-operate and assist in the recording, preservation and display
of items related to the historical and significance of Macao with
special emphasis on interchanges between Macao and other countries.
To co-operate and assist in the study and dissemination of knowledge
related to Macao’s cultural and historical heritage with learned
societies within the outside Macao.
Having established the programmatic foundations for the new museum
which is called “The Museum of Macao”.
An extensive survey was made of all possible hypothesis of the
location of the future museum, highlighted amongst them was the
Monte fortress as being the most symbolic and historical location
in view of the intended objectives.
The ancient fortification built by the Jesuit Fathers in 1626,
on the peak of the Monte Hill, perched high above the city centre
was the chosen location for the Museum of Macao.
This Fortress built in a quadrilateral shape with four bastions
in the corners and thick exterior walls made from “chunambo”,
or taipa, a highly resistant material made from mortar containing
sand, lime, fragments of shells and crushed oysters.
The Museum of Macao began planning in April 1995, construction
was initiated in September 1996, and it was inaugurated on the 18
April 1998. The museum building in itself implanted within the interior
of the fortress and the third floor above the soil level of the
Fortress interior. Its total area is 2,800 meters square from which
around 2,100 meters square is exhibition space.
The administrative building, already on the exterior of the fortress
but joined to the Museum by way of a tunnel with escalators that
pass under the walls, contains the technical and administrative
offices of the museum as well as the management and technician centre
security headquarters, auditorium, etc.
The exterior areas of the administration building which has the
total area of 2300 meters square house the museum shop and bar with
esplanade to service the public and visitors.
As far as the thematic areas that The Museum of Macao features,
they are divided into three main groups corresponding to each one
of the three floors of the Museum building.
Genesis of Macao Region (floor 1)
Where the territory’s origins are presented from the prehistoric
age until the middle of the XVII century, the golden of Macao as
an important Asian and European commercial port.
Popular Arts and Traditions in Macao (floor 2)
This floor tackles themes which focus on ethnographic and anthropological
areas, outlining the colourful socio-cultural characteristics of
traditional Macao. Their rites and festivals, daily traditions,
commercial activities and typical industries, etc.
Contemporary Macao (floor 3)
Third and last floor of the Museum, presents the more representative
aspects of contemporary Macao. Macao from the beginning of the century
which is still fresh in the memory of the third generation population
up to the contemporary city. A perspective of the territory near
future makes up part of the final areas of this display.
After a visit to the museum, a stroll around the Fortress exterior
allows the visitor to indulge in a charming open area with unique
views over the city of Macao.
In an ancient subterranean room existing in the interior of the
fortress a permanent exhibition about the history of the actual
Monte fortress from the date of its construction by the Jesuit Fathers,
at the beginning of the XVII century until its transformation into
a Museum in 1998 is opened to the public.
