Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Museu da Quinta das Cruzes, Funchal
Madeira's early settlers built their homes on the heights above the harbour so
that they could see pirate ships approaching. The Quinta das Cruzes is just such
a mansion. Originally built by Captain Zarco
(see p36)
, it was rebuilt in the 19th
century as the elegant home of the Lomelino family, and is now a museum
full of antiques and fine art. An excursion to the Quinta can be combined with
a visit to the Convento de Santa Clara
(see pp16-17)
, a short walk away.
Top 10 Features
1 ArchaeologicalPark
2 ManuelineWindows
3 OrchidGarden
4 Chapel
5 TradeGoods
6 DrawingRooms
7
Picnic
byTomásda
Anunciação
8 Palanquin
9 SugarBoxFurniture
0 SilverCollection
Museu da Quinta das
Cruzes
There's a delightful
teahouse in the
courtyard of the
Universo de
Memórias (itself
worth a visit),
opposite the
entrance to the
Quinta. Sip tea by a
fountain, on a terrace
ringed by flowers
and climbing plants.
Concerts are often
held in the Museu da
Quinta das Cruzes;
look out for posters
in the ticket office.
!
Archaeological
Park
Thegardenstothesouth
oftheQuinta
(above)
serve
asanoutdoormuseumof
ancientmasonry.One
prominentrelicisthebase
ofFunchal'spillory,erect-
edin1486.Until1835,
criminalswerechainedto
thepilloryandwhipped.
@
Manueline
£
Orchid Garden
Astatelyolddragon
tree
(see p21)
thrustsits
leshylimbsthroughthe
roofoftheshadehouseat
therearoftheQuintagar-
den,wheretierupontierof
tropicalorchidsaregrown
foruseascutlowers.
It's a steep climb to
the museum, and
there's no bus - so
you might want to
take a taxi.
•
Calçada do Pico 1
• Map N2
•
291 740 670
• 10am-12:30pm,
2-5:30pm Tue-Sat,
10am-1pm Sun
•
Admission €2
Windows
Thestonewindowframes
setupinthegarden
(right)
areineexamplesofastyle
inspiredbythevoyagesof
discoverymadeduringthe
reignofKingManuelIof
Portugal(1495-1521).They
arecarvedwithknotted
ships'ropes,lionsanda
portercarryingagoatskin
fullofwineonhishead.
14
