São Lourenço Palace Military Museum Nucleus

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Madeira > Funchal > Funchal > Sé

Location

The São Lourenço Palace Museum Centre is located in the centre of Funchal, in the Sé district. Its location is strategic, facing the sea, on one of the city's main avenues, Avenida Zarco. This central and prominent position reflects its importance throughout the centuries.

Origins and Function

The origins of the building housing the São Lourenço Palace Museum Centre date back to the 16th century. Its construction was determined by King Manuel I with the primary objective of serving as a defence structure for the island, given its privileged location by the sea. This historical root marks the identity of the building.

A Monument with History

Recognised for its historical and patrimonial value, the building was classified as a National Monument in 1943. This designation underscores the site's importance as a living testament to the history of Madeira and Portugal, reflecting the social and military transformations that occurred over centuries.

The Museum Collection

Inside the São Lourenço Palace, the museum centre invites visitors to discover a varied cultural collection. The rooms display a collection of decorative art pieces, spanning Portuguese and European styles from the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. These works, which reflect the taste and era, partly originate from the palace itself. Another point of interest is the gallery of royal portraits, with particular attention to the portrait of King John VI, signed by Joaquim Leonardo da Rocha, a painter active in Madeira.

A Dual History

Over time, the São Lourenço Palace underwent an internal transformation that reflects its dual historical function. In 1836, the building was physically divided into two distinct parts: the west area, which began to serve as the official residence of the Civil Governor, and the east area, maintaining its military function as the headquarters of the Madeira Military Zone Command. This duality persisted, with the civil part evolving into the current Official Residence of the Representative of the Republic from 1976.

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