Macau Maritime Museum

The Macau Maritime Museum was opened in 1987. This place will be interesting for those who have admired majestic ships, pirates and world voyages since childhood. The dreams of adults and children can be realized in Macau, where this famous maritime museum is located, it is famous for its unique exhibits. Visitors say that time passes unnoticed here.

History of origin

In 1553, the Portuguese decided to build the Macau Maritime Museum, which would embody the greatness of their maritime achievements. The construction of the facility lasted two years. At the beginning of the 20th century, the museum was expanded and reconstructed - it was redone in a European way. The Macau Maritime Museum covers an area of 800 square meters and is a unique building in the city, as it intertwines two different cultures of the maritime regions - the European maritime power and the Asian one. The maritime history of this region begins with local boatmen, fishermen, who actively engaged in fishing and trade with other islands of the China Sea. But everything changed in the 16th century, when Portuguese colonialists came to these lands. After these events, trade relations between local merchants and Europeans began to take place. The museum has preserved trade items of those times - porcelain, pearls, plant crops and many other things of that time.

Architectural features

The Macau Maritime Museum is a three-storey building that has the shape of a sailing ship. The building consists of several halls located on each floor. On the ground floor, the visitor is presented with exhibits depicting the life and culture of local fishermen - the fishermen's quarters, their clothes and hunting and fishing tools, and most importantly, replicas of boats and vessels. There is also a miniature theater on the ground floor, which often hosts performances based on local fishing legends. Visitors can also purchase souvenirs of ships, mini-replicas of fishermen's boats, as well as copies of old maps of Macau on the ground floor of the Macau Maritime Museum.

The second floor of the museum will amaze any lover of ships. There is a huge collection of replicas of ships from all over the world, and especially copies of local fishing vessels. The vibrant collection of small Chinese junky boats is famous for its simplicity and convenience - flat bottom, pointed bow, small deck woven with reeds. All the vessels of the museum are unique and exact copies of their original versions.

The last floor of the building is entirely dedicated to new projects in the field of shipbuilding and shipping. The floor features a unique replica of China's first lighthouse, made by European architects. Visitors can also observe large aquariums with rare species of fish and other marine life. The Maritime Museum in Macau is a unique and special place in the city. In addition to historical excursions, you can have a great time here, visiting the sides of the most famous ships around the world. The museum is recommended for every tourist arriving in Macau.