| Macau is particularly known as "the Vegas of the | | | | where it came, and reflects the special skills of |
| orient" and millions of travelers visit its grandiose | | | | this region's people. |
| casinos every year. It is, therefore, slightly odd to | | | | 3) Museum of Macau: Housed in what used to be |
| write about Macau as a "city of museums", but | | | | Macau's strongest fort, the Museum of Macau tells |
| while it is true that most of the city's museums | | | | the fascinating story of this unique city, and while |
| are not even as big as a single corner in The | | | | it might lack the impressive features that some |
| Louvre or The Metropolitan, some of them are | | | | "national museums" around the world have, it |
| very unique and worth visiting. | | | | compensates for it with very interesting exhibits |
| This article will take you through seven unique | | | | and a somewhat homey ambience that is so |
| museums that you should try to visit, when in | | | | much what Macau is all about. |
| Macau. | | | | 4) Macau Maritime Museum: There are definitely |
| 1) The Macau Grand Prix Museum: Naturally, I | | | | better maritime museums in the world than this |
| should have started an article about "museums in | | | | one, but the one of Macau has a very nice |
| Macau" with the Museum of Macau itself, | | | | collection of model replicas of Old Portuguese and |
| however, I decided to start it with the Macau | | | | Chinese vessels, that is worth seeing. The ancient |
| Grand Prix Museum, as this small and well | | | | navigation instrument they showcase is also |
| presented museum appeals to almost everybody, | | | | interesting. |
| including those who normally don't find museums | | | | 5) The Fire Services Museum of Macau (Museu |
| interesting... | | | | dos Bombeiros): This tiny museum is housed in a |
| Macau Grand Prix has been the city's best known | | | | historic 1920s building that once served as the |
| international event for more than fifty years now, | | | | headquarters of Macau Fire Services, and although |
| and the "Guia Circuit" has gained a reputation as | | | | you won't need more than 15 - 20 minutes to |
| the world's most demanding street track. | | | | cover it, vintage fire engines will always have their |
| In the museum, you can see all these celebrated | | | | charm. |
| cars and bikes that actually made history on | | | | 6) Taipa Houses Museum (Casas Museu da Taipa) |
| Macau Grand Prix, from real oldies to modern | | | | comprises a row of five beautiful colonial manor |
| "road killers" that can speed as fast as an | | | | houses, which used to accommodate well heeled |
| airplane... Expectedly, there is a lot of interesting | | | | Portuguese families back in the 1920s. Today, |
| info about the drivers who once ruled the circuit, | | | | each of the houses displays another theme and |
| including well known names like Ayrton Senna, | | | | among the five, The Macanese House is possibly |
| Michael and Ralf Schumacher, and David Coulthard, | | | | the most interesting, as it gives a glimpse into the |
| among others. | | | | day-to-day life of a rich Macanese family at the |
| The small Wine Museum, next door, is also worth | | | | beginning of the 20th century, including all the |
| visiting (Especially since you are there anyway). | | | | antique furniture, the utensils and the other bits |
| Macau has absolutely nothing to do with wine | | | | and pieces. |
| production, but it was colonized for hundreds of | | | | 7) Lin Zexu Memorial Museum is a very small |
| years by Portugal, which is a significant wine | | | | museum, located in the north of Macau, near the |
| country. The museum takes the visitor through | | | | Canidrome, and although it's not really big or |
| the history of wine production, techniques and | | | | sophisticated, it is well worth visiting, especially if |
| technology, culture and even wine-related festivals | | | | you like history, as it gives a glimpse to one of |
| and customs... As expected, there is a bit of wine | | | | modern history's most fascinating times. |
| tasting too. | | | | The museum focuses on the story of Lin Zexu: A |
| 2) The handover Gifts Museum of Macau is | | | | high-ranking official during the Qing Dynasty, who |
| housed in an ultra modern building that stands | | | | is mostly remembered for his stubborn struggle |
| exactly where the 1999 handover ceremony | | | | against opium smuggling by the British into |
| took place, and showcases all those gifts that | | | | Guangzhou, a struggle that has triggered the |
| were given to Macau and its people by the | | | | outbreak of the famous First Opium War, |
| different councils of China. Each of the gifts is a | | | | between 1839 and 1842. |
| true piece of art, unique to the region from | | | | |
