Ethnographic Museum of Madeira

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Madeira > Ribeira Brava > Ribeira Brava > Pico da Cruz

Location

The museum is situated in the town of Ribeira Brava, on the south coast of Madeira Island. It is located on Rua de São Francisco, one of the central arteries of this locality. Its position in the heart of the town facilitates access for those in the area.

A Rich History in a Unique Building

The building that houses the museum has a long and multifaceted history. Its origins date back to an old manor house from the 17th century. Over time, the space transformed and, in the 19th century, became an industrial unit. There operated a mill dedicated to the grinding of sugarcane and the distillation of brandy, initially using animal traction and later hydraulic energy. Later, the mill also started grinding cereals. This dual industrial function is an important testament to the island's agro-industrial past, considered unique at national and European levels. When visiting, you can observe the portal of an old chapel integrated into the structure, a vestige from the building's origins. The adaptation of this site into a museum allowed for the preservation of a significant example of Madeiran industrial heritage.

Window to Traditional Madeiran Culture

The Ethnographic Museum of Madeira primarily aims at the research, conservation, and dissemination of the testimonies of the archipelago's traditional culture. Its collection constitutes a portrait of the different aspects of Madeira's social, economic, and cultural life, with a particular focus on ethnography. It is a space dedicated to keeping alive the memory of the island's people, their practices, and their way of life over time.

Journey through Ancient Daily Life

The museum's permanent exhibition area offers an immersion into Madeiran daily life of bygone eras. It is organized by themes covering the productive activities that shaped the local economy, such as fishing and the cycles of wine, cereals, and linen. It also showcases traditional transportation on the island, domestic units, recreating environments like the kitchen and bedroom, and traditional trade, displaying an old grocery store. This thematic visit allows visitors to better understand the customs, traditions, and the social and economic evolution of Madeira.

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