For tourists, Macau is more than a location for the world's biggest casino resorts. It has a 400-year-long Portuguese colonial history. At the Macau Museum in Monte Fort, you can learn about everything from the history and culture of the former colony to the latest architecture and urban planning for the region.
Great Location and Good Displays
The Macau Museum is the main museum established by the government of Macau, and the government has filled the three floors of the museum with displays and demonstrations that interest tourists.
More than that, Monte Fort (1627) is a large 100-meter-square structure noted as being one of the major edifices of the UNESCO World Heritage Historic Center of Macau. It is simply one of the most interesting and well preserved ancient European structures in China.
The top of the battlements of the fort are noted for the excellent dusk scenery. As the casinos light up and mix with the colors of the sunset, the result is quite beautiful if the weather is right. It is an ideal place to see Macau from on high.
Museum Layout
- The first floor contains displays and relics of the early history, with an emphasis on the mix of cultures and the major events happening in Europe and the Ming Empire and Qing Empire.
- The second floor is devoted to the culture of the region.
- The third floor presents artistic work along with urban planning and architectural displays.
Macau Museum sits in a small park atop the old fort.Ticket Price and Hours
- Ticket price: 15 MOP.
- Hours: 10am to 6pm. Closed on Mondays. Free for public on the 15th of every month. Open on public holidays.
- Free to see the fort: You can walk around and see the cannon and battlements of Monte Fort for free.
How to Get There
The museum can be reached via...
Walking from Senado
Once you get to Senado Plaza, there is a 400 meter walk through a narrow alley near the apex of the square (the square is shaped like a triangle). You'll see the sign posts pointing the right direction. The narrow street has tourist shops on both sides and places to eat. Once you get to the Ruins of St. Paul, look right for the path going to the fort above it.
Public and Private Buses to Senado
Hotel bus: There are public and private buses available to Senado. From the Macau Ferry Terminal, we suggest you can simply catch a free Grand Lisboa shuttle that will take you to the hotel directly. These park in a hotel bus parking lot that is across the street from the building. From there, walk 10 minutes to Senado Square that is along Av. De Almeida Ribeiro (San Ma Lo Avenue).
Public bus: From the Macau Ferry Terminal, 3, 3A, 10, and 10A go to Senado. It is easy to find. The small bus stop is just outside the ferry terminal building and about 25 meters to the right of the main exit. The price is about 3 MOP.
Taxi to the Museum
Battlements and cannonsYou can catch taxis that will take you to a place behind the Ruins of St. Paul, and you can walk up from there in a few minutes. To go from the Macau Ferry Terminal, the price is about 30 to 34 MOP.
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