On Taipa Island in Macao, five pastel-green houses stand as enduring symbols of the region's Portuguese-style architecture and rich cultural tapestry. Together with the nearby Our Lady of Carmel Church and its manicured garden, they create a serene setting that captures Macao's unique fusion of East and West.
Originally built in 1921, the five most representative green houses have been transformed into the Taipa Houses Museum. Here, visitors wander through period rooms and curated exhibitions that bring to life the traditions of the Macanese—a community whose Portuguese ancestors married Chinese, Malay, Filipino or Indian residents of Macao.
The museum's displays range from historical photographs and heirloom furniture to multimedia installations that trace how Portuguese and Asian influences blended over generations. It's not just a trip through time: it's an immersive journey into how cuisines, languages and customs intertwined to shape Macao's modern identity.
Whether you're a globetrotting traveller seeking immersive culture, a design enthusiast drawn to colonial-era aesthetics or a history buff eager to uncover hidden narratives, the Taipa Houses offer a window into a story of cultural coexistence. Step through the green facades, breathe in the garden's fragrance and discover the layers of Macao's past that continue to inspire its future.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
