The Association of the eight panoramas of Macau selected the landscape that merges the classified area constituted by the Taipa Houses-Museum, the Carmo Church, the Carmo Lirbrary and the two little gardens as one of the eight views of Macau, especially the Taipa Houses-Museum, which includes five typical green houses with Macanese architectural characteristics of Portuguese Matrix, is considered one of the cultural relics and heritages of the Island.
The Taipa Houses-Museum was built in 1921, which had been the residences for high superiors and Macanese families. In the 80's, the Tourist Department of Macau (now the Macau Government Tourist Office) bought and recovered them. In late 90's, the government decided to fully remodel them, recognizing its important architectural value, transforming them into museums and renaming the houses as "Macanese House", "House of the Islands", "House of the Portugal Regions", "Exhibition Gallery" and "House for Reception" The Taipa Houses-Museum opened to public on 5 December 1999 and is administrated by the Civil and Municipal Affairs Bureau.
The Macanese House
The "Macanese House" is one of the Macau's typical houses in colonial style. It reminds visitors a period of Portuguese splendor that was characterized by frequent affluence of the British, Manchu, Mandarins and traders in this tiny territory. Wandering along the houses, anyone can admire and recognize the living standard of the Macanese families during that period. The characteristic of the house, furniture, objects, replicas and decoration is from the beginning of the 20th century.
House of the Islands
The "House of the Islands" is the only museum, where the physiognomy and history of the Taipa and Coloane Islands is exhibited. One can imagine by reviewing in retrospective, the past and the present on the Islands through historical traces, figures and written description. It is represented with ten themes, the characteristic of its physiognomy, archaeology, history development, actual population and transportation, temples, Portuguese building, cuisine, infrastructures and local activities.
House of the Portugal Regions
The "House of the Portugal Regions" is where Portuguese costume from different regions is shown.
Exhibition Gallery
The Gallery has served as a venue to host different kinds of exhibitions periodically with theme of photography, western painting, Ceramics and ware, sculpture etc and so far the host has invited different artists from all over the world such as Korea, Poland and Shanghai.
House of Reception
The "House for Reception" is designated only for private or government reception, as well as cultural events and gastronomy festivals.
Address: Avenida da Praia, Carmo Zone, Taipa, Macau
Tickets Price: Adult Mop$5.00, Student Mop$3.00, Group Mop$2.00, free entrance for children under 12 years old and seniors over 65 years old. Free entrance on Tuesdays.
Opening hours: 10:00a.m. to 6:00p.m. Open everyday except Mondays (if Monday happens to be public holidays, the museum will be closed on the next day). Open on public holidays.
Enquiries Tel.: (853) 2882 7103 / 2882 7527
E-mail: dic@iacm.gov.mo
Bus routes: 11,22,28A,30,33,34
Homepage of Taipa Houses - Museum