In celebration of the 10th Anniversary of the Inscription of “The Historic Centre of Macao” on the World Heritage List, the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC, from the Portuguese acronym) and the Tou Tei Mio Patane Mercy and Charity Association have co-organized the establishment and revitalisation of the Patane Night Watch House, located at No. 52-54, Rua da Palmeira as the showcase of Macao’s night watch culture. The project seeks to conserve Macao’s folk and historical culture and carry forward the traditional values of mutual assistance within the neighbourhood. The premise will officially open to the public on Friday, 18 December, at 3:30 pm .
The night watchers in ancient China served to report time and remind people to take precautions against fire and theft. However, this community service gradually vanished following the modernisation of the city. The Patane Night Watch House, the only existing one in Macao, reflects the night watch practice of the city in the past. In order to revitalize the Patane Night Watch House, IC undertook a construction survey and mapping, structural recovery and façade renovation along other works based on the principle of “restore the old to its old form”. Thus the original layout of the night watch house was reinstated along with the reproduction of unique features like a large retaining stone and a fresco inside the house. In addition, IC commissioned a complete historical research on Macao’s night watch house and night watch system as the basis of the exhibition theme and space planning of the Patane Night Watch House.
The exhibition space of the renovated Patane Night Watch House is divided into two thematic exhibition halls, namely “Macao’s Night Watch Houses” and “Image of Night Watchmen”. Throughout the renovated architecture of the night watch house, historical photos, actual exhibits, multimedia image and graphic creation, the exhibition showcases the status and transformation of this energetic occupation. The opening of the Patane Night Watch House not only enriches the tourist and cultural resources in the district but also provides more leisure spaces for the residents.
The Patane Night Watch House will be inaugurated on 18 December. The House opening hours are from 10:00am to 6:00pm, including public holidays (no admission allowed after 5:30pm) and it closes on Mondays. Admission is free. For enquiries, please call IC though tel. no. (853) 8399 6699 during office hours.