Quinta Vigia, Funchal, Madeira

The Quinta Vigia occupies a prime position in Funchal with panoramic views over the harbour and city. It stands in grounds that has a long, varied and interesting history. Many illustrious people have lived here - sometimes, somewhat tragically.

Today, the current Quinta Vigia is a large pink walled building that serves as the official residence for the President of the Regional Government of Madeira.

Tourists are allowed to visit the gardens and the 17th century chapel that is alongside the Quinta. Both are well worth a visit. However, access to the Presidential Residence itself is restricted.

The gardens of the Quinta Vigia are open to the public Monday to Friday, from 9:00am to 12:30pm and then from 2:00pm to 5:00pm.

Here you will find til trees (a native laurel), camellias and other sub-tropical flowers. There are fountains and aviaries with Macaws. Sometimes, peacocks are found wandering around.

An 18th-century chapel is also situated here. There is a marble altar inlaid with designs of flowers, butterflies and fruit.

Depending on the time of year, you can find the following flowers: The orange Lion’s tail (Leonotis leonorus); Giant Camellias; the vivid red Poinsettias (Euphorbia pulcherrima) - a sure sign of Christmas; various Hibiscus flowers; Bougainvillea, the Jacaranda trees (springtime bloom and widespread in Funchal); and, various palm trees.

In particular, keep a lookout for the iconic Bird of Paradise flower, the national flower of Madeira.

The gardens also offer a superb view over Funchal Harbour, Marina and the seafront promenade.

Presently, September 2009, the harbour is undergoing extensive work, transforming it from its previous function of cargo docks, into a pleasure and entertainments feature.

Often, a vintage car, once owned by Charles Count de Lambert, is on display in a glass-fronted garage.

Hidden amongst the foliage, and often overlooked by visitors, is a blue, highly coloured, stylised sculpture of a horse. Finally, if you are particularly lucky, you may even get a glimpse of the shy presidential cat.

The original Chapel Nossa Senhora das Angústias was built in 1662 by Daniel da Costa Quintal.

Today, we can see the chapel as it was refurbished in the 18th century. It appears to have survived unscathed by the anti-Calvinist disturbances of August 1846 directed against the then occupier of the Estate, Miss Rutherford.

The Chapel doors are usually left open for visitors to Quinta Vigia gardens to view inside. The marble alter has an ornate inlaid design with flowers and butterflies.

The wall decorations include scenes from the life of Christ. Also, on opposite walls are blue and white dutch tiles that depict the Miracles of Saint Dominic.

Originally known as the chapel Nossa Senhora das Angústias, or the Chapel of Our Lady of Sorrow, records of the Quinta Vigia chapel date back to 1662 when its construction was commissioned by Daniel da Costa Quintal. The chapel gave its name to the estate that surrounded it which was known as the Quinta das Angústias.

Later in the 19th Century a mansion house stood in the grounds a little further from Funchal city centre. This building was the the first to bear the name of Quinta Vigia. This building has been home over the years to some distinguished owners.

In August 1852, the Empress of Brazil, widow of Emperor Pedro IV, took up residence on a rental basis. The main reason for Empress D. Amélia choosing Madeira was to aid her daughter, Princess Maria Amalia, who was suffering from tuberculosis. It was generally thought that the clean, fresh air of Madeira helped to mitigate the symptoms of consumption. Unfortunately, the Princess succumbed to the disease and died on 4th February 1853, aged 21.

In remorse, the Empress Amélia founded the Hospício Princess Dona Maria Amélia which is located across the Avenida do Infante from the Quinta Vigia. Originally designated as a tuberculosis hospital, the building now houses a school and care home for the elderly. The gardens surrounding the hospital are open to the public daily from 9:00am to 6:00pm.

A contemporary account, in the book The Exiles of Madeira by W. M. Blackburn, states that at this time the Quinta had 20 bedrooms and 6 sitting rooms.

The Empress Elizabeth of Austria, wife of Franz Joseph of Austria, wintered in the Quinta in 1860, staying for 6 months. Sissi, as the Empress was affectionately known, had come to Madeira to recover from the death of her eldest daughter Sophie, aged two, from what is believed to have been scarlet fever. The trip was said to have been made on the recommendation of her sister, Queen Marie of Naples. Queen Victoria of England also facilitated the visit, lending Sissi the Royal Yacht "Osborne" for the journey.

It is reported that Sissi suffered from anorexia and depression, attributed to her loveless marriage and her obsession with her beauty and maintaining the perfect figure. She is said to have enjoyed her stay in Madeira, and returned again in 1893. Sissi was murdered in Geneva in September 1898.

The Estate was purchased by Count Alexander Charles Lambert and renamed Quinta Lambert. The Count, a former aide to the Empress of Russia, was a melancholy sort though, and much of the time confined himself to the Estate without much interaction with the locals. In December 1865, a son, Charles Count de Lambert, was born. The young Count went on to become a famous aviator - being the first person to fly around the Eiffel Tower on October 18, 1909.

In 1960, the Estate was flattened and the Pestana Casino Park Hotel now occupies the western end of the original grounds.

The present Quinta Vigia was built in the early 1970's to serve as the Grand Season Hotel. In 1979, the building was acquired by the autonomous regional government. For two years, the Conservatorio de Musica da Madeira, Conservatory of Music of Madeira, resided here.

From 1981 onward refurbishment work was undertaken on the gardens, chapel and Quinta. Finally, on 2nd May 1984, it became the official residence of the President of Madeira.

Views of the Quinta Vigia gardens

Miracles of Saint Dominic depicted on the chapel walls

Alternatively, if you are staying in the hotel district of Funchal near the Lido area, why not take a leisurely walk to the Presidential Residence.

Start out on the Estrada Monumental and head toward Funchal city centre. You will pass by the luxurious Madeira CS hotel.

Keep on and you reach the Reid's Palace Hotel, famous as being the haunt of celebrity and political guests.

After Reid's Palace Hotel, you cross over the road bridge spanning part of the Quinta Magnolia, originally an British Country Club.

Continue along passed the Pestana Casino Park Hotel and the statue of Sissi, the Elizabeth of Austria, wife of Franz Joseph Emperor of Austria. Quinta Vigia is just along from the statue.

The walk will take you around 25 minutes and give you an glimpse into the varied history of Madeira.