Macao News https://macaonews.org Tue, 12 Dec 2023 00:20:29 +0000 Thu, 19 Oct 2023 17:12:36 +0800 Kenny Fong 66783 2023-10-23 16:39:21 2023-10-19 17:12:36 The pink-hued palace is open to the public this weekend. Here are a few facts to consider before you begin strolling its historic corridors. ]]>After a two-year-long hiatus, the Government Headquarters Protocol Palace – to give it its full name – is finally reopening its doors to the public. Admission is free this Saturday and Sunday between 9 am and 6 pm.  The occasion will be punctuated with music courtesy of Macao’s Youth Choir and Police Band, and there will be lavish floral displays to admire. But how much do you know about the historic complex? [caption id="attachment_66785" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Alexandrino António de Melo, businessman, legislator, viscount and the original owner of the "pink palace" - Photo courtesy of nenotavaiconta[/caption] 1. It was originally the private residence of a wealthy Macanese merchant The “pink palace” was once the home of a well-to-do businessman by the name of Alexandrino António de Melo, who had the mansion constructed in 1849.  Born in Macao, Melo (1804-1877) was a prominent merchant who may very well have made it into the Forbes 400 had the list existed in the 19th century. In those days, ownership of one ship was already considered a sign of exorbitant wealth, but Melo one-upped everyone with a whopping five ships that he used to facilitate trade across countries such as Portugal, Brazil and Australia.  Apart from business, Melo also dabbled in politics, becoming a member of the legislature in 1840. For his contribution to Macao and the Kingdom of Portugal, he was duly awarded the titles of Barão do Cercal and Visconde do Cercal in 1851 and 1867 respectively. [See more: Travel back in time to experience Macao’s firecracker era] 2. The government took it over when the Melo family got into debt  The administration began renting the building in 1875 and used it as the governor’s residence.  Some years later, the Melo family, which still owned the property, got into financial hardship following a series of business blunders. The situation became so dire that they had no choice but to put the mansion up for auction at just over 25,000 patacas – four-fifths of its estimated value.  The government seized the opportunity and acquired the “pink palace” for slightly more than 20,000 patacas. [caption id="attachment_66786" align="alignnone" width="1440"] The mansion, shortly after the government acquired it in the late 19th century - Photo courtesy of nenotavaiconta[/caption] 3. The architect designed it as a side hustle Interestingly, the man commonly supposed to be the mansion’s architect, José Agostinho Tomás de Aquino (1804-1852), did not work full-time in the profession, as his main line of work was in maritime trade and politics.  Despite this, he was quite popular as an architect among Macao’s elite, and created several lavish residences. For instance, Santa Sancha Palace (Macao Government House) and the now destroyed Governor’s Summer Palace were his designs.  He also spearheaded the large-scale refurbishment of one of Macao’s oldest churches, St Lawrence’s Church, in 1844, and took part in similar projects involving the Macao Cathedral and Our Lady of Penha Chapel. [caption id="attachment_66789" align="alignnone" width="1440"] Santa Sancha Palace, also the work of the architect José Agostinho Tomás de Aquino - Photo by Keiziro[/caption] 4. Its architectural style can be traced to an earthquake The pink palace adopts the Pombaline style of architecture, the origins of which can be traced to the rebuilding of Lisbon following a great earthquake in 1755.  The statesman in charge of the reconstruction effort was Marques de Pombal who came up with an architectural style that centred around uniformity, simplicity and the multi-functional use of buildings. Earthquake-proof construction techniques were also part and parcel of the style.  Marques de Pombal’s approach became so influential and popular that it eventually took on his name.  5. The building has undergone many changes in name and appearance When it was in the hands of the de Melo family, the building was known as the Palace of Cercal. When Portuguese administrators took it over, it became the Governor's Palace. Following Macao’s 1999 return to China, it took on the unwieldy moniker of the Government Headquarters Protocol Palace. But to residents, “the pink palace” has always been a popular name for it. [See more: Understanding the man and the legacy behind Macao’s Mandarin’s House] Refurbishment work on the headquarters has also led to changes in its look and structure over time. The current appearance and scale of the property were the result of significant renovation work that was done under the orders of Governor Joaquim Anselmo de Mata Oliveira in 1930.  Since the early 1970s, a new set of steps has been added to the front of the building and a roof extension built for the central balcony.   ]]> Mon, 04 Sep 2023 07:15:34 +0800 Macao News 65548 2023-09-04 07:46:43 2023-09-04 07:15:34 Under the plan, the authorities will fund half of the maintenance and repair costs on buildings considered to be of ‘special cultural value.’]]>A programme providing repair and maintenance subsidies for owners of heritage buildings could be rolled out as early as next month, the head of the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) says. According to a report in Macau Post Daily, the bureau’s president Deland Leong also said that the scheme would cover sites that are not officially listed as heritage structures but nonetheless held to be of “special cultural value.” Unveiled last week, the Cultural Development Fund initiative will make a total of 20 million patacas available for the work, with eligible buildings receiving up to 50 percent of the restoration costs or a maximum of 2 million patacas per project.  [See more: Explore Macao’s architectural heritage and unique ‘pátio’ courtyards] Leong said more than 600 buildings had already been classified as eligible for the funds. News of the scheme comes as the government announced plans to restore the Chio Family Mansion near the São Domingos market in the city centre.  The complex is among the fourth group of buildings to be proposed for conservation since the Cultural Heritage Protection Law took effect in 2014. Since then, 31 sites have been added to the list of protected buildings, bringing the total number of such structures in Macao to 159.  ]]> Wed, 30 Aug 2023 07:16:09 +0800 Macao News 65404 2023-08-30 07:16:09 2023-08-30 07:16:09 If you own or reside in a building with cultural value, you could be eligible for up to 2 million patacas in maintenance aid.]]>The Cultural Development Fund has announced a new scheme reimbursing up to half the cost of private maintenance projects on Macao’s heritage buildings, local media reports. The scheme will be capped at 20 million patacas, and fund a maximum of 2 million patacas per project. Restrictions will apply. At a meeting of the Cultural Heritage Committee on Tuesday, Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) president Deland Leong said more than 600 buildings had already been classified as eligible to receive funding. However, she added that anyone who could prove a building they either owned or resided in had cultural value was welcome to apply for the subsidy. [See more: Explore Macao’s architectural heritage and unique ‘pátio’ courtyards] After preliminary approval, applicants must commission a consulting firm to draft a formal proposal for their building’s restoration. Proposals submitted will be reviewed by a panel of construction industry and heritage experts. A Cultural Development Fund representative said he hoped the scheme would encourage the owners of historic buildings to regularly maintain their properties – preserving the city’s architectural heritage in the process. At the same meeting, the IC confirmed it would restore what is known as the Chio Family Mansion – a sizable complex located near the São Domingos market in the city centre.  The Chio Family Mansion was one of six properties earmarked for conservation earlier this year.  ]]> Tue, 11 Jul 2023 07:35:24 +0800 Macao News 64274 2023-07-11 07:35:24 2023-07-11 07:35:24 Sponsored by the Cultural Development Fund, the series aims to promote awareness of Macao’s long and rich Catholic heritage.]]>The Macau Catholic Culture Association has unveiled a series of eight short videos depicting the territory’s deep Catholic connections. Entitled City in the Name of God – Macau World Catholic Heritage, the documentaries aim to “raise public awareness of Macao's unique Catholic world heritage and the rich history behind it,” the association says. According to Jornal Tribuna de Macau, the first video, which features the Ruins of St. Paul’s, was shown at a launch ceremony officiated by Bishop D. Stephen Lee, who is also the organisation’s president. [See more: The man who made St Paul’s and the secrets behind the ruins that few tourists know] The bishop said that Catholicism had existed in Macao for nearly 450 years and led to the creation of a rich Catholic culture that inspired people “to seek the meaning of life, truth, goodness and beauty in everyday life.”  Each of the eight episodes covers an aspect of Catholicism in the territory through the history of a different sacred site, and is available with Chinese and English subtitles. The videos will be made available on the association’s Facebook page and YouTube Channel. The project has been sponsored by the Cultural Development Fund.  ]]> Thu, 13 Apr 2023 11:38:37 +0800 Macao News 62008 2023-04-20 22:52:06 2023-04-13 11:38:37 The Cultural Affairs Bureau has allocated funds to essential work at the Portuguese consul-general’s residence and two other heritage sites.]]>The Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) has agreed to fund maintenance work on three historic structures, director Leong Wai Man says. Speaking yesterday after a meeting of the Cultural Heritage Council, Leong said the cost of the work would be some 1.65 million patacas. According to a report in Macau Post Daily, the historic structures are the official residence of the Portuguese consul-general (formerly the Bela Vista Hotel) on Penha Hill, the old wall of the former Iec Long Firecracker Factory, and the Calçada do Amparo near St Paul’s Ruins. [See more: Traders were already talking about a ‘Great Bay’ area 300 years ago] The bulk of the funds, some 1.2 million patacas, will be spent on the consul-general’s residence, which is believed to have been built around 1870. Leong told reporters that it had suffered from a leaking roof, cracking of brickwork, and other issues. Meanwhile, the gatehouse adjacent to the Calçada do Amparo has been affected by peeling plaster, loosening of the wall, weakened wooden frames and water seepage, Macau Post Daily says. At the Iec Long Firecracker Factory, works will involve the restoration of the wall with original types of raw materials.  ]]> Tue, 28 Mar 2023 15:04:01 +0800 Macao News 61672 2023-05-17 01:34:52 2023-03-28 15:04:01 An offshoot of Beijing’s Palace Museum is planned for the SAR and will focus on the creation and retail of merchandise inspired by the museum’s artefacts.]]>Macao is to have a commercial offshoot of Beijing’s famed Palace Museum and the facility will be ready in the next two or three years, a museum official has told China Daily. Dong Dan, deputy director of the museum’s international exchange department, said the Macao centre would focus on the design and retailing of merchandise inspired by the museum’s treasures. Such items are hugely popular in mainland China and often sell out quickly. “Macao is a popular tourist destination and we hope tourists visiting from across the world will take home our products and learn about Chinese culture”, Dong told media last week. [See more: Eight top racers have been immortalised in the Grand Prix Museum’s latest attraction] The Palace Museum has close ties to Macao, having held 31 exhibitions here in the past 24 years. Its most recent, Auspicious Beginning: Spring Festival Traditions in the Forbidden City, wrapped up on 5 March. The museum also runs a branch in Hong Kong, displaying some 900 priceless artefacts on loan from Beijing, including ink paintings, works of calligraphy, and ceramics. The Palace Museum is housed in Beijing's Forbidden City, a 180-acre complex of spectacular buildings that was home to China’s emperors in the Ming and Qing dynasties.  ]]> Tue, 28 Mar 2023 08:42:42 +0800 Macao News 61652 2023-05-17 01:35:07 2023-03-28 08:42:42 The museum has unveiled wax figures of global racing icons and stars of the Guia circuit, created by Madame Tussauds.]]>Life-sized wax figures of eight top drivers were unveiled yesterday at the Macao Grand Prix Museum as the territory gears up for the 70th edition of the iconic motor race in November. The wax figures in Macao, created by Madame Tussauds in Hong Kong, are of Ayrton Senna, Lewis Hamilton, Sebastian Vettel, Ron Haslam, Edoardo Mortara, John Macdonald, Michael Rutter and Robert Huff.  The latter two racers attended the launch ceremony at the museum yesterday alongside Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng and other dignitaries, according to an official handout. [See more: Macao’s sports boss is optimistic about the return of Formula 3] Huff, the 2012 World Touring Car Championship title holder and a multiple winner on the Guia circuit, told media that the measurement process for his statue took around eight hours and said that the figure is dressed in his 2018 racing kit. Rutter, winner of 29 British Superbike Championship races and a 20-time podium finisher in Macao, also donated kit for use on his statue and said he was amazed at the lengths taken by Madam Tussauds to exactly match the figure’s colouring and complexion to his own. The museum is normally closed on Tuesdays but, exceptionally, is open today so that the public can view its latest attraction.  ]]> Thu, 23 Mar 2023 14:30:11 +0800 Macao News 61520 2023-04-17 22:43:01 2023-03-23 14:30:11 Macao Polytechnic University historian Ivo Carneiro de Sousa has found evidence that the region was being conceived of as a unified whole as far back as the start of the 18th century.]]>While we tend to think of the Greater Bay Area as a modern designation, one scholar says the records show that Macao, Guangzhou, and their environs, were conceived of as a geographical whole “since the beginning of the 18th century”. Macao Polytechnic University historian Ivo Carneiro de Sousa told Jornal Tribuna de Macau that a “Grande Baía” (Great Bay) was being referred to in maps and documents used by Western traders as far back as 300 years ago and as recently as 1841. He said a unified customs regime gave an early coherence to the region, which today consists of nine cities and the two Special Administrative Regions of Macao and Hong Kong. The common use of Portuguese, Chinese and business English also reinforced ties within Grande Baía, as did shared commercial intelligence. [See more: Understanding the man and the legacy behind Macao’s Mandarin House] “For example, it was in Macao that the international prices of different tea types were defined and there were warehouses and headquarters in Canton for the international companies – English, Dutch, Swedish, Danish, Austrian, Spanish companies”, de Sousa said. [caption id="attachment_61521" align="alignleft" width="1500"] Ivo Carneiro de Sousa - Photo courtesy of Jornal Tribuna de Macau[/caption] The professor explained that commercial disputes were resolved in Macau, in “commercial courts where Portuguese and Chinese were spoken”.  According to de Sousa, Grande Baía began to decline in importance after the Opium Wars of 1839-1841 – when foreign powers forced the opening of other ports in China to trade, including Hong Kong. Although the concept was not to be revived until the present day, the modern Greater Bay Area has much “to do with tradition”, he told Jornal Tribuna de Macau. Last updated on 24 March at 8:27 am  ]]> Wed, 22 Mar 2023 13:56:26 +0800 Macao News 61485 2023-04-17 22:42:52 2023-03-22 13:56:26 When it was first unveiled in 1941, the Grande Hotel was Macao’s tallest building. Now, after a 500 million pataca renovation, it hopes to turn heads once again.]]>A landmark hotel that was once Macao’s loftiest structure is to be given a new lease of life after being mothballed for 27 years. In its heyday, from the 1940s to the 1960s, the Grande Hotel, on the Avenida de Almeida Ribeiro, played host to visiting celebrities and local dignitaries, and appeared as the backdrop in several Hong Kong films. Now it looks set to reopen as a budget hotel in August, according to a report in Jornal Tribuna de Macau. Vivian Lu, Jessica Lu and Veronica Lu — sisters who are the co-owners of this property and several other guesthouses in Macao — told the paper that they had invested some 500 million patacas in the building’s renovation and that “more than 90 percent” of the work had been done. When open, the revamped Grande Hotel will offer at least 96 rooms and some shops but no restaurant, according to the report. Pricing will make the property accessible to a wide range of travellers. [See more: Forbes awards are a boost for Macao’s hotels but the sector still faces challenges] “There are already many five-star hotels in Macau”, Vivian Lu told Jornal. “We intend to create a different accommodation experience for more types of tourists”. That could be a savvy move. According to local media reports, visitors to Macao have been expressing dismay at the high cost of accommodation in the city, now that it has reopened to post-pandemic travel. The government says it is taking steps to contain the spike in room rates. Designed by architects João Canavarro Nolasco and Chan Kwan Pui, the original Grande Hotel was unveiled in 1941. Operations ceased in 1996 and the building remained shuttered while various owners squabbled over whether to sell the property or lease it out. In 2017, architect Carlos Marreiros told Jornal that the neglect of the structure was “an embarrassment for the city”. Now there are hopes that the revamp will revitalise an older part of Macao. Enquiries are already being received from travel agents, the paper says. It quoted Jason Cheong, the architect behind the refurbishment, as saying that he hoped the new Grande Hotel will “attract a greater flow of people and, in this way, gradually foster new commercial opportunities”.   ]]> Wed, 01 Mar 2023 12:26:19 +0800 Macao News 60895 2023-05-17 01:34:49 2023-03-01 12:26:19 Inadequate bathrooms, inaccessible exhibits and blocked elevators are among the failings highlighted by an academic audit.]]>Two researchers from the City University of Macau say the Macao Museum presents challenges to people with disabilities.  In their study “Research on Accessibility Design for Disabled Groups at the Museum of Macau”, published on 15 February in the scientific Journal of Environment & Earth Science, academics Xu Man and Li Yan found a number of issues at the facility. Their article was cited in the Portuguese-language news outlet Hoje Macau. [See more: The Best off-the-beaten track museums in Macao] The authors found that bathrooms were not equipped with support bars or other fittings. According to Hoje Macau, they also mentioned the absence of a reading room for the blind and noted that elevators, which would be used by visitors in wheelchairs, were “blocked by chairs, fire extinguishers and other materials.” The study also mentioned the lack of equipment for the hearing and vision impaired. “For people with disabilities, the experience of interacting with the exhibits is practically non-existent” the researchers said. They appealed to the museum to use new technologies, and to partner with local disabled organisations, to improve access to the museum and its exhibits.  ]]>