I was flipping through the little discount booklet that comes with my Lisboa card (a pass for public transportation and museums), when I come across this museum. A museum about Macau!! It claims to be the only museum about Macau outside of the city, and I would say it doesn't exaggerate. I also feel rather impressed. I mean, countries don't usually build museums about their colonies. I don't think there is a museum about Hong Kong or Kenya, or even Australia, in London. So I told my husband, a Macanese, that the least he should do is to pay it a visit. This museum is somewhat in between Belem and Lisbon downtown, so most transportation, tram #15, bus #727, that takes you to Belem will stop by. The first time we went, we arrived shortly before 5:30, and was told that we couldn't go in. The man pointed to the sign, last admission 17:30. I looked at my phone, 5:24. The man pointed to his watch, which hand is slightly to the right of half past. I told him we were from Macau but that didn't impress him. I was about to argue but then realized that the museum was probably empty. The guy was likely all ready to lock up at 5:30 and go home. Oh well. We managed to go there another day. It's a rather small museum of three stories, mostly a collection of artifacts: porcelains, Catholic artifacts, books, etc that shows a mix of culture: strangely Chinese looking angels, European scenery on Chinese vase, for example. However, we are disappointed that it's a collection of items and not much explanation enclosed. There is a film supposedly about the Sao Paolo church, the landmark of Macau, but curiously didn't mention how it comes to be left with just the front façade standing (destroyed by fire). I've been to the museum in Macau itself, which, while not much bigger, is ten times more informative, educational and entertaining. It's shame that this little museum doesn't live up to its potential of sharing the unique and wonderful heritage of Chinese and Portuguese. read more

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