Caniço Museological Nucleus

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Madeira > Santa Cruz > Caniço > Azenha

Location

The Caniço Museum Centre is located in the town of Caniço, an integral part of the municipality of Santa Cruz, on the island of Madeira. More specifically, it is situated in the Azenha area, a zone that, through its own evolution, mirrors the fusion between the current urban environment and the more traditional roots that characterise this part of the island.

Although inserted in a more modern context, the location of the Centre serves as a starting point to understand the dynamics and identity of Caniço. Its position in the Azenha urbanisation provides a perspective on how the locality has grown and transformed, from an agricultural settlement to an area of greater density and diversified activities.

From Field to City: The Permanent Exhibition

The central point of the Caniço Museum Centre is its permanent exhibition, meticulously titled "Caniço: From Field to City". This display offers a visual and informative journey through the history and remarkable evolution of the locality over the last few decades.

Visitors can explore a rich collection that includes historical documents, period newspaper clippings, posters, and examples of local handicrafts. One of the most significant elements of the exhibition are the photographs, many of them captured by José de Sá, a photographer who resided in Caniço for several decades. His collection is fundamental for portraying daily life, the people, and the changes that shaped the community, constituting a valuable record of memories.

Local Memory and Identity

This museum space provides an in-depth understanding of how Caniço was formed and developed. The initial choice of this area by the first settlers was due to its advantageous proximity to the sea and the existence of a considerable stream, elements that facilitated indispensable agricultural activities and subsistence.

The exhibition clearly highlights the profound metamorphosis that Caniço experienced from the 1960s onwards. From a predominantly rural territory, the locality gradually transformed into a significant pole of tourist interest and, subsequently, an urban attraction centre. This transition reflects a true change in the way its population lives and interacts.

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