Imagine holding a piece of Macau’s past right in your hands. We are standing before the Archives of Macao. It is more than just a building. It is a treasure chest of stories.
The Archives of Macao is a general archive in Sáo Lázaro. It safeguards Macau’s collective memory. The Archives collects, processes, and protects records related to Macau. It makes these records accessible to everyone.
Founded in 1952, the Archives of Macao has undergone a few name changes. It started as the Macao General Archives. In 1979, it became the Historical Archives of Macao. Finally, in 2016, it was renamed Archives of Macao.
Housed in a restored colonial-style mansion, the building itself speaks of history. The government of Macau carefully restored it. It is located at Tap Seac Square.
Inside, the Archives holds a wealth of information. There are over 50,000 files. Plus, there are 70,000 photos and 10,000 publications. Most of these are paper-based documents. The earliest document dates back to 1630.
The Archives also has photographs, slides, audio cassettes, and optical disks. Most records are in Portuguese. The Archives receives records from public services. Organizations and individuals also donate records.
You can even access some records online. The Archives’ website has a catalogue with full text versions of many documents. Some files are viewable online. Others are available on the Archives’ computers.
The Archives of Macao is the only place in Macau to find archives from the 15th and 16th centuries. These are kept on microfilm. You can request them in advance. Microfilm readers are available in the main room. Important books are kept away from the public. You can request them online through the catalogue. You can search in both Portuguese and Chinese.
To access documents in person, you will need a reader’s card. This allows you to request, consult, and ask for copies.
The Archives operates under the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao Special Administrative Region Government. It plays a vital role in preserving Macau’s heritage.
Think of the countless stories contained within these walls. Each file, each photo, each publication holds a piece of Macau’s unique identity. The Archives of Macao invites us to explore, understand, and appreciate the rich tapestry of this city’s past. It connects us to the people, events, and decisions that shaped Macau into what it is today. It is a place where history comes alive.