European sailors covered more than 2,500 kilometers across the vast Indian Ocean from the coast of Africa to the islands of Mauritius. This solitary journey, without the help of modern technology in the 16th century, was possible only because The curiosity and courage of those ancient travelers. First came the Portuguese, then the Dutch, the French and finally the British, who also brought Indians with them. This is how the history of Mauritius began and this history is recorded and preserved in the artefacts here. Blue Penny Museum,
About Blue Penny Museum
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You might be wondering – what sets the Blue Penny Museum apart from the rest of the places to visit in Mauritius? This is what makes this museum an unconventional choice to visit.
- The two rarest stamps in the world – the Blue Penny and the Orange Stamp.
- Rare watercolor paintings and photographs of Mauritius history.
- Seven rooms filled with documents, maps and artefacts about Mauritius.
- The only comprehensive museum of history and art in the whole of Mauritius.
Time: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
entrance fees: Adult: INR 518/- per person
Children: INR 253/- per person
Group of 10+ adults: INR 422/- per person
How to visit Blue Penny Museum: The Blue Penny Museum is a landmark on the Cowden Waterfront. You can find it in Block A of the Waterfront Complex. The best way to reach here is by taxi which you can book through a tour operator.
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Importance of Blue Penny Stamps
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Blue Penny Museum stamps are among the most valuable stamps in the world. Philatelists, collectors of philatelists, value the rarity of Mauritius stamps, of which only 27 remain today out of 1,000 stamps printed. They are so valuable that in 1993, a collection of two stamps belonging to a private collector ‘Hiroyuki Kanai’ was sold for a whopping price of $4 million! One of each of the famous ‘Post Office’ stamps – the orange-red One Penny Stamp and the Royal Blue Two Penny Stamp – can be seen here.
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Blue Penny Museum: An Insider’s Look
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The Blue Penny Museum inside is divided into two floors. On the ground floor there is a souvenir shop and a temporary exhibition room. There are several exhibition rooms on the first floor. Here are other things you must know.
- Age of Discovery: This room is about the story of the pioneers who first traveled the sea to reach the Mascarene Islands. It contains old maps giving information about this journey.
- Island Maker: Three main periods of Mauritius’ history are included here – the Dutch period, the French period and the British rule.
- Port Louis: This room covers the beginnings and history of Port Louis.
- Postal Adventure: This room displays the postal history of Mauritius. You can see two stamps from the famous Blue Penny collection here.
- Engraved Memory: The first person to engrave stamps in Mauritius was Joseph Osmond Barnard. This room is a tribute to him.
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Places to Visit around Blue Penny Museum
The area around the Blue Penny Museum contains several interesting museums that house culturally and historically relevant artefacts. These museums will definitely attract the attention of history lovers:
1. Mauritius Postal Museum
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This museum is one of the best places to visit in Mauritius and was built in 1868. It now stores the history of the Postal Department of Mauritius. The museum offers a glimpse of the cultural and historical heritage of Mauritius and houses many important artefacts. We suggest you visit the museum in the morning to avoid the afternoon crowds.
Distance from Blue Penny Museum: 3.6 km
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2. Photography Museum
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It is one of the best photography museums in the world and has a collection of cameras dating back to 1842, when they were called daguerreotypes. It also has a collection of old photographs of sugar plantations and other places in Mauritius. You are not allowed to bring your camera inside, so as tempting as it is, please try not to sneak in.
Distance from Blue Penny Museum: 2.9 km
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Tips for Visiting the Blue Penny Museum
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Here are some tips that you should not miss reading before visiting the Blue Penny Museum so that you can create wonderful memories that will stay with you for a lifetime:
- Please maintain decorum inside the museum.
- The original Blue Penny stamps are lit and displayed for only ten minutes at the 25th minute of each hour. This is done to keep the tickets safe and prevent them from getting damaged by light.
- Photography is not allowed inside the Blue Penny Museum in Port Louis. Keep your phone and camera inside your luggage. Additionally, you cannot bring any water or snacks inside the building.
- The boutique closes at 4:30 pm, so make sure to finish your shopping by then if you’re there in the latter half of the day.
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The Blue Penny Museum is one of the finest museums in Mauritius with fascinating historical artefacts, so book your trip to Mauritius with TourTravelHotels and enjoy a great time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is the entry fee for Blue Penny Museum?
One. The entry fee for an adult is Rs 518 and for a child is Rs 253.
Q. How many rooms are there in the museum?
One. There are 7 rooms in the museum.
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