Electricity Museum - House of Light

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Madeira > Funchal > Funchal > Arsenal

Location

The museum is located in a central area of Funchal, in the district known as Arsenal. This location places it in the city's downtown, relatively close to the historic center and the seafront. The surroundings are urban and easily accessible, integrated into the city's dynamic.

A Building with History

The Casa da Luz Museum occupies the building that was the former Funchal Thermal Power Plant. Originally inaugurated at the end of the 19th century, in 1897, this plant played a fundamental role by marking the beginning of electrification on the island of Madeira. The museum was opened to the public in 1997, precisely to commemorate one hundred years since electrical energy began to transform life in the region.

The Evolution of Urban Lighting

In one of the exhibition areas, visitors can follow the history of how Funchal has been illuminated throughout time. From the first oil lamps that brightened the streets, through different types of streetlights, this section shows the evolution of urban furniture related to public lighting and the technologies that made the city brighter after sunset.

A Century of Energy History

Another important part of the museum is dedicated to telling the history of electrification in Madeira in a more comprehensive way. It is possible to see old machinery that represented different ways of producing electricity, both from heat (thermal) and from the force of water (hydroelectric). Models of power plants and visual representations help to understand how the electrical grid expanded across the island over more than a hundred years, showing the effort required to bring energy to all communities.

Science, Technology, and Energy Sources

There is also a more didactic and future-oriented space that addresses different energy sources, including renewables such as solar and wind. This area invites interaction, with equipment that allows visitors to explore some basic concepts of electricity and technology in a practical and visual way, making the visit more engaging and educational about the world of energy.

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