Museum of the Macao Science Center and Cultural Center

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Lisboa > Lisboa > Alcântara > Junqueira

Location

Located in the Junqueira area, in Alcântara, the museum is situated in an area of Lisbon characterized by the presence of buildings from different eras. Access to the museum space is through an entrance that leads to an interior organized around a garden, creating a unique atmosphere within the urban setting.

A Bridge Between Cultures

The museum was created with the purpose of documenting and presenting the history of relations between Portugal and China, with special emphasis on the role Macau played over the centuries as a meeting point between different cultures. A part of the permanent exhibition is dedicated to this historical intersection, exploring Macau's international environment in the 16th and 17th centuries.

In this area, one can find elements that illustrate the dynamic of the Europe-China intercultural frontier established in the port city. One of the highlights is a scale model of the "Nau do Trato" (Trade Carrack), the large ships that connected the two worlds and symbolize the trade and cultural exchange of the era.

The Richness of the Chinese Art Collection

The other major facet of the museum presents an extensive collection of Chinese art, considered the most important in Portugal. With over 3500 pieces, the collection spans more than 5000 years of history and artistic production, from the Neolithic period to the 19th century.

The collection includes a wide range of materials and typologies. One can find ceramic and terracotta pieces, showing technical and artistic development over millennia, bronzes with ancient symbolism, or porcelains from different eras and decorative styles, such as the iconic Blue and White, the colorful Famille Rose, or the distinctive armorial porcelain custom-made for European families.

Beyond ceramics, the collection encompasses other objects that bear witness to cultural and commercial exchanges. There are pieces of sacred art with diverse religious influence, objects related to trade with the West ("China Trade"), delicate lacquerware, fans, silver, and objects made of ivory and tortoiseshell. A particular and interesting nucleus is dedicated to utensils related to opium consumption, revealing a less known aspect of social and cultural history.

A Space for Knowledge

In addition to the exhibition areas, the museum is an integral part of a center that houses a specialized library. This library, focused on China, Macau, East Asia, and the relations between Europe and Asia, is a valuable resource for research and study, considered one of the most comprehensive and up-to-date in the Portuguese-speaking world on these topics.

The complex of the center and museum aims to promote a greater understanding of Chinese civilization and the legacy of relations between Portugal and China, using approaches and technologies that seek to make knowledge accessible and engaging for the general public.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt