Quinta das Cruzes Museum

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Madeira > Funchal > Funchal > Achada

Location

The Quinta das Cruzes Museum is located in the Achada area of Funchal, integrated into the city's historic urban fabric. It is a walled property, characteristic of traditional Madeiran quintas, distinguished by its historical importance and the peaceful atmosphere of its gardens within the city context.

Its location allows for a close connection with Funchal's past, being a place that reflects the evolution of the urban landscape and stately residences over the centuries.

The Quinta's Past and History

The origins of Quinta das Cruzes are intimately linked to the beginning of Funchal's settlement. Historical documents indicate this location as the last residence of João Gonçalves Zarco, the navigator credited with the discovery of Madeira Island. The original house was later expanded by his son, João Gonçalves da Câmara.

The property remained in the possession of the Câmara family until the 17th century, then passing to the Lomelino family. Over the centuries, the quinta underwent various architectural transformations, reflecting the tastes and needs of its different owners until it became the museum space that can be visited today.

The Decorative Arts Collection

The museum houses a vast collection of decorative arts spanning a period from the 15th century to the mid-20th century. The collection includes furniture of Portuguese and foreign origin, with special emphasis on English pieces in the Chippendale, Hepplewhite, and Sheraton styles, as well as Portuguese examples made with exotic woods, many of them from Brazil.

In addition to furniture, the collections include pieces of silverware, jewellery, ceramics, painting, and sculpture. It is possible to appreciate European porcelains (such as Meissen, Bristol, Vista Alegre) and Oriental ones (with emphasis on Chinese pieces from the Qing dynasty), Luso-Oriental artworks, and clay nativity figures, mainly dating from the 18th century.

Park and Archaeological Elements

Quinta das Cruzes is not limited to the museum building. It encompasses an extensive park and garden with a serene atmosphere. A significant part of the outdoor space is dedicated to an archaeological park.

In this park, architectural and sculptural elements recovered from demolitions in Funchal are found, telling part of the island's construction history between the 15th and 19th centuries. It is possible to observe details such as Manueline-style windows, tomb slabs with inscriptions and coats of arms, and remains of ancient fountains. The gardens also feature an orchidarium and an Orchestrophone, a curious mechanical musical instrument dating from 1900.

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