Tel: 8399 6699 (fortress); 2835 7911 (Museum).
Mount Fortress, built in 1617-26, occupies a hilltop to the east of the ruins of St. Paul′ s. It was constructed by the Jesuits as part of a complex which also included the college and church of St. Paul′ s. The canons were used only once, when the Dutch invaded Macau in 1622. This was also the first residence of the governors of Macau.
At that time, besides the cannons, Mount Fortress also included military barracks, munitions warehouse and supply depots. It was the primary defence centre along the eastern and western coastline in Macau. In the centre of the top platform, there was a 3-storey tower fitted with cannons on each floor. There were four rows of houses that served as military barracks close by. The Fortress was also equipped with wells and an arsenal that held sufficient ammunition and supplies to survive a siege lasting up to two years.
The walls are built on 3.7 metre wide granite bases. They are made of solid rammed earth, further strengthened by a thick stucco of ground oyster shells. The parapet sections were crenulated for the installation of 32 cannons and the two corners of the south-east wall have watchtowers. The north-western and south-western granite walls facing the Chinese mainland do not have any battlements, indicating that the fortress was built only for defence against attacks from the sea.
The site used to be a restricted military facility until around 1965 when the barracks were converted into a weather observatory. Over the following decades trees grew from the platform of the fort, which was transformed into a public park where residents and visitors came to enjoy the views. In 1996, the meteorological services moved their operations to Taipa Island. The fort ramparts and walls were restored in 1992, 1993 and 1996.
Macau Museum was built into the side of Mount Fortress in 1998. It occupies an extensive area and is divided into two parts, namely the Museum Building and the Administrative Office. The Museum Building has three floors. Within the museum, introductions about the origins of Macau can be found, as well as information on holidays, folk art, living art mixed with the Chinese and the Portuguese, as well as the situation after the handover. There are also some very nice models of typical Chinese and Western style buildings. The administrative office contains a gift and souvenir shop.
Although the Museum does not possess a collection of a high monetary value, it includes a vast number of objects of a great historical value which have been carefully chosen and are appealingly exhibited.
Museum Opening hours: From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Closed Mondays. Open public holidays.
Tickets: children (under 11), elderly people (over 60) and students - 8 patacas; adults - 15 patacas,