Quinta das Cruzes Museum in Funchal

The Quinta das Cruzes Museu, or Manor Estate of the Crosses museum, is located high up in an old back street of Funchal.

It has a variety of exhibitions, both permanent and temporary.

The collections range is wide. Most depict in some way, the multi-faceted aspects of the cultural and economic heritage of the Madeiran Archipelago. However, there are additional displays that represent the progress of the decorative arts.

Outside, there are pleasantly laid out gardens. Sections devoted to tombstone masonry, Manueline windows structures - a style of architecture which flourished in Portugal during the reign of King Manuel I, 1495-1521 - and orchid propagation.

There is also a small chapel that dates from 1692.

Key Facts

Whilst the museum may be of only cursory interest to the average holidaymaker, wandering amid the 16 exhibition rooms will give you a sense of the considerable economic influence the British wielded during the 17th and early 18th century.

You will also gain an appreciation of the vast importance that the sugar, wine and, currently, tourist industries have played in Madeira's development.

The display rooms are filled with many exquisite items that are simply a pleasure to see in all their finery.

The collections of highly crafted furniture, trinkets, ceramics and paintings are all impressive.

For the academic researcher, there are library facilities giving access to documents and information related to the displayed items.

The adjacent garden contains many interesting artifacts and has a broad range of endemic and exotic plants.

Quinta das Cruzes Museum
Location	1 Calçada do Pico, 9000-206 Funchal
Opening times: Tuesday to Sunday Closed Monday and Holidays	10:00am to 12:30pm and 2:00pm to 5:30pm -
Admission Prices	€2:50 - Free on Sundays
Telephone	(351) 291 740 670
(Details correct at August 2010)

History of Quinta das Cruzes

The building that houses the museum has origins dating back to the first Portuguese settlers of Madeira in the 15th century.

It is thought that João Gonçalves Zarco, the discoverer of Madeira, commissioned and actually lived in the original building himself.

Later his son, João Gonçalves da Câmara, extended the villa left by his father.

During the 17th century, the estate eventually passed into the possession of the Lomelino family - a lineage of Genovese extraction that can trace its connection with Madeira back to 1476.

During the Lomelino ownership, the estate house underwent significant refurbishment and extension and it became known as the Quinta Madeirense.

Within the grounds, the Nossa Senhora da Piedade (Our Lady of Pity) chapel was built in 1692.

In the 19th century, the island's love for formal gardens was reflected in the estate. In the extensive hectare of walled grounds, cobblestone pathways and a summerhouse were constructed. These complemented the various species of plants that had been brought here from around the world for decoration.

In August 1875, Captain Eduardo Dias Grande, who was later to become District Governor of Funchal, took residence in the Quinta das Cruzes. He was the widower of Dona Luisa Susana Ana de Freitas Lomelino, daughter of Nuno da Camara Leme do Carvalhal Esmeraldo de Freitas da Silva Lomelino the then owner of the estate.

In the early 1900s, the estate passed through a number of institutional ownerships until on 21st April 1948 the Quinta das Cruzes estate was acquired by the Autonomous District of Funchal with the sole intention of setting up a museum.

Accordingly, the Quinta das Cruzes Museum was officially opened to the public on May 28th 1953 under the name House Museum of César Gomes.

Directions

By Foot:-

The Quinta das Cruzes Museum is easily reached on foot. But, you will need to be ready to climb quite a steep hill to get to it.

Find your way to the Funchal Municipal Gardens on the Avenida Arriaga.

These are easily found. From the Rotunda do Infante - the main roundabout with a globe fountain in its middle at the bottom of Santa Catarina Park - head into town. The municipal gardens are almost immediately on your left.

From the statue of Zarco - at the intersection of the Banco de Portugal building and the Palácio de São Lourenço - head westward away from the Se Cathedral. Soon you come to the taxi rank alongside the municipal gardens.

Walk to the top, right hand side of the municipal gardens and leave via the narrow Rua São Francisco. Continue up this street a short distance to a T-junction.

Turn left into the Rua da Carreira. After a short distance, turn right up the narrow Rua do Surdo.

Now, it's a pretty stiff climb up to the museum's entrance. On your way you will pass the entrance to the Santa Clara Convent.

A little further up passed Santa Clara Convent is the entrance to the Quinta das Cruzes Museum.

On the map above the red trace shows the route to the Quinta das Cruzes museum from the Municipal Gardens.

1 = Quinta das Cruzes museum

2 = Santa Clara Convent

3 = Rotunda do Infante

Madeira Features

Camacha Clock Tower

Camacha clock tower, that today constitutes part of the O Rel�gio wicker showroom building, is often overlooked by visitors to the village.

However, Camacha clock tower, and the clock it houses, both have an interesting history. A history that played a small, but significant part in Madeira's current day heritage.

Indeed, the timepiece did not originate in Madeira, but rather it was selected to be transported to Camacha because of its superior workmanship and accuracy.

Today, Camacha is the centre of Madeira's famous wicker industry, but in the past it held the distinction of providing a summer retreat where expatriates could escape the heat of summer more.

Hotel District to Funchal City Centre Walk

If you visit Madeira, chances are you will end up in a hotel in the Lido suburb of Funchal. The district is full of popular hotels and restaurants. It also boasts a pleasant public park.

Many hotels run a courtesy bus service to the city centre. Other tourists make for the taxi rank whenever they wish to make their way into Funchal.

However, the walk into Funchal City Centre is a nice stroll and you can spot many interesting features along the way - as long as you know what you are looking for!

And, as an added bonus, unlike most walks in Madeira, the walk from the hotel district into Funchal City Centre is almost entirely on the flat.